LABOUR members in West Devon and Torridge are backing Ed Miliband to be leader of their party.

Michael Sparling, who fought South East Cornwall for Labour at the general election last May, said he was also backing the former climate change secretary to take the top job.

Mr Sparling, who lives near Tavistock, said: 'In Ed Miliband, we have the opportunity to bring the party closer together so that we have the capacity to listen to the public and learn from the recent past, for the good of the country.

'I commend Ed Miliband for his way of doing things as climate change secretary, where he established a constructive dialogue between policy makers and the wider public. I am backing Ed because I want the Labour Party to be led by someone who will lead but also listen.'

Mr Sparling added that he looked forward to welcoming Ed Miliband to Devon and Cornwall this month.