At last month's local elections , it was Nigel Farage's war cry: 'Vote Reform. Get Starmer Out.' In Makerfield, everyone else is saying the same.

It’s not just the June 18 Makerfield by-election: the anti-immigration party to the right of Reform has its eyes on a nationwide battle.

The Labour mayor has splashed £8,000 on online adverts championing niche local concerns ahead of the June 18 vote.