LABOUR'S deputy party leader Angela Rayner was in Leigh to hit the campaign trail during today's by-election.

Ms Rayner was in the town to help with the campaign of Labour candidate Samantha Brown in the Leigh West by-election being held today, Thursday.

The Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster appeared in a video posted on the Leigh Constituency Labour Party's Facebook page, alongside Ms Brown and Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green.

Ms Rayner, who is also the Ashton-under-Lyne MP, made headlines last month after she referred to the Tory ministers as "scum" during a Labour Party conference event in Brighton.

She later said she was sorry if her comments caused offence.

The vote is being held following the death of veteran Leigh West councillor and former Wigan Council leader Lord Peter Smith in August.

There are four candidates in total standing in the by-election.

They are Samantha Brown (Labour); James Geddes (Conservative); Jayson Hargreaves (Independent) and Sharron Honey (Liberal Democrats).

Polls are open until 10pm.