Reform UK has announced its candidate to take on Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election. Local plumber Robert Kenyon will stand for Nigel Farage's party in the crunch ballot.

The Greater Manchester Mayor is using the high-stakes contest in a bid to return to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. Mr Farage said: “This by-election contest is now a David versus Goliath battle.

"This is the ‘The Plucky Plumber’ taking on 'Open Borders Burnham.' Only Reform UK can beat Labour in this by-election.”

Mr Kenyon stood in the seat for Reform at the 2024 general election and came second with 32% of the vote.

He was born in Makerfield where he is self-employed as a local plumber.

He has served as an army reservist and previously worked for the NHS in Lancashire as a specialist technician.

Mr Kenyon added: “Makerfield has never had a member of Parliament who was actually born in Makerfield.

"This will be a tough fight but I am going to give this contest my best shot.”