LEIGH MP Andy Burnham has been officially installed at Number 10 and has thrown the door open to everyone.

Mr Burnham's new advice centre at 10 Market Street, Leigh, was officially opened this week by mayor John Hilton.

The office will be a central point of contact for constituents and their MP, who will be based there when not at Westminster. It will act as a resource centre, as well as offering a public advice service.

The centre, previously the campaign headquarters, has been in use for three weeks and has already been inundated with calls and visits.

Mr Burnham said: "Being in the town centre, we are ideally situated for people to call in to discuss any issue, from local housing to fox hunting."

Linda Graham, who is based at the centre said: "It was much needed in the area. We hope it will make politics less remote to the public and they won't feel intimidated to call in for a chat."

The office is open for drop-ins from 10am-noon and noon-2pm Monday-Friday, and for telephone calls from 9-5 Monday-Friday. THE HOT SEAT: Andy Burnham with his Number 10 aide, Linda Graham GRAND OPENING: from left, mayoress Nora Hilton, mayor John Hilton, MP Andy Burnham, Coun Brian Jarvis and Zia Ulhaque, chairman of Leigh Ethnic Elders

PICTURES: Colin Lyne