BLACKBURN MP Kate Hollern has been given a key job as aide to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

She will act as the main link between him and his MPs and act as his ‘eyes and ears’ in the House of Commons.

Mrs Hollern promised to being ‘some East Lancashire common sense’ to Mr Corbyn’s inner circle in her job as his Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS).

The 62-year-old was re-elected to Parliament in June with a record majority of 20,368 and has previously served as a shadow defence and local government minister.

Burnley MP Julie Cooper has retained her job as a Labour health spokesman in the party’s post-election reshuffle.

A key part of Mrs Hollern’s job will be trying to repair relations between Mr Corbyn and the 172 Labour MPs who backed a no confidence vote in his leadership in 2016 before his unexpectedly strong performance in this year’s election.

She follows in the footsteps of former Blackburn MPs and senior cabinet ministers Barbara Castle and Jack Straw as a key figure at the heart of Labour policy making.

Mrs Hollern said: “I am absolutely delighted and really excited at this new job.

“I shall bring some East Lancashire common sense to the leader’s inner circle.

“Like Jack and Barbara before me I shall make sure the voice of Blackburn and the North-West is at the hart of party policy as well build on a great manifesto and election result.

“I now have a vital and admittedly difficult task in ensuring we bring our MPs and the wider party together.”

Mrs Hollern’s agent Phil Riley said: “This is excellent news.

“In Barbara and Jack Blackburn has a tradition of being at the heart of Labour party and government policy making which Kate is now continuing.She now holds a key job in Mr Corbyn’s inner circle.”

Mr Corbyn MP said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kate Hollern to my team in the role of PPS.

“Kate has proved herself an active MP and I look forward to working with her in this new role.”

Mr Straw said:“It’s great news. I’m delighted that Kate’s strengths and talents have been recognised in this way.

“My congratulations to Kate; and to Jeremy Corbyn.”