Derek Twigg has bade farewell to his former Runcorn constituents as he targets election in the new seat of Widnes and Halewood.

A shake-up of Parliamentary boundaries has seen Widnes and Runcorn separated come general election time, with each town's voters choosing a different MP for the first time in decades.

Mr Twigg had been Labour's MP for Halton which now no longer exists on a Parliamentary map, although the Halton borough itself remains unchanged as does its council wards.

Following the changes, Mr Twigg is now contesting a brand new seat of Widnes and Halewood. As well as the whole town of Widnes, it includes Halewood which moves from the now abolished Garston and Halewood constituency.  Voters will also be drawn from the majority of the Whiston and Cronton ward - excluding the town centre of Whiston - from the St Helens South and Whiston constituency.

There are six candidates vying for the seat.

Mr Twigg said: "It is an honour and a privilege for me to be standing as the Labour candidate for the new Widnes and Halewood Constituency. I was born in Whiston Hospital and l have lived in this constituency all my life.

"If elected, I will bring a wealth of experience and Parliamentary knowledge to the role, having served as the Member of Parliament for Halton since 1997. I have a long track record of delivering for my constituents, I deeply care about and understand the issues we face here."

The Halton constituency had included most of Runcorn, but that has now been moved into another new seat of Runcorn and Helsby, which seven candidates are contesting.

Mr Twigg added: "I wish my West Runcorn constituents well - it has been an honour to serve as your Member of Parliament.

"I hope that you will vote for Mike Amesbury, the Labour candidate for the new Runcorn and Helsby constituency. Mike has my full support. We have worked jointly together on many issues and I know he would serve my West Runcorn constituents well."

The election takes place on July 4.

A full list of candidates can be found here.

Voters are reminded they need to take photo ID to the polling station on the day. A list of acceptable ID can be found here.