FORMER Culcheth resident Andy Burnham urged Labour supporters in the town to trust him to unite the party during a visit to Morrisons as the leadership race reaches the closing stages.

The Leigh MP made his way to the supermarket, on Greenalls Avenue, to speak to staff and tour the store today, Monday.

With less than a month until the next Labour leader is announced, Mr Burnham was keen to address the importance of the electorate voting him in to ensure the party can fight the Conservatives and make change.

Mr Burnham is battling against MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall in the race.

He discussed Sunday trading, tax credits and concerns over the Government's national living wage plans but could not hide his delight at being back in Warrington.

"I am from here and these are my roots," he said.

"But Labour can't go back to the days of when I was growing up here, when I joined the Culcheth and Glazebury Labour party.

"The year I joined was when Labour was basically fighting itself, which left the pitch clear for Margaret Thatcher to bulldoze her way through half of Leigh and everywhere else.

"We can't go back to Labour fighting within itself rather than against its main army.

"It is a big moment but I believe I am the only person who can beat Mr Corbyn and the only person who can unite the Labour party."

Mr Burnham admits he fears the party could 'turn on itself' and become 'more divided' if Mr Corbyn was elected.

But after confirming he 'would involve' Mr Corbyn in his team if announced as leader, the 45-year-old offered some kind words for his rival.

"People don't want the Labour party to be more obsessed with internal disputes, rather than dealing with those issues that affect people's lives," he said.

"I am determined to win and unite the party so we can focus on the things that matter to the public.

"Jeremy is speaking in a way people are responding to, from the heart and saying what he believes in.

"I have been like that myself and it is the change that has to become modern politics because it has become too manufactured."

Mr Burnham also enjoyed a cup of tea with staff on the visit before leaving with a lasting message.

"I am not a Westminster person, I would much prefer to get out and about than do all that," he said.

"Labour will look, sound and feel different under my leadership.

"I am very proud to have the support of Warrington based Usdaw – it is an example of what a modern trade union should be.

"I have always been loyal to Labour and will give it what it wants – a united party."

However, when speaking to Warrington Guardian reporters he did highlight an early experience with the newspaper which helped him learn the importance of continuing to battle on in difficult times during his time as a budding journalist.

"I got turned down for a job at the Warrington Guardian in 1991," he added.

Ballot papers are being sent out across the country, with more than 600,000 set to vote.

The next leader and deputy leader will be announced on September 12.