A by-election has been called to replace a former MP who resigned to take up a role in the NHS.

MP for West Lancashire, Rosie Cooper formally resigned as an MP in November after she accepted the role of chairwoman of the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

On Monday (January 9), the opposition chief whip Sir Alan Campbell issued the writ for the vacant seat in the House of Commons.

Ms Cooper, who was the target of a murder plot by a neo-Nazi in 2017, also said the events she had faced over recent years had “taken their toll”.

Jack Renshaw, of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, is currently serving a life sentence for planning to kill her.

Ms Cooper held the West Lancashire seat for 17 years and last won it in 2019 with a majority of 8,336.

The by-election has to take place between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of the writ, suggesting it will take place on February 9.