THE Labour leader has been in the region to show his support for the man fighting to retain the Middlesbrough parliamentary seat.

Ed Milliband was out in the town with Andy MacDonald on Saturday drumming up support ahead of Thursday’s by-election.

They visited a number of venues throughout the day, including Morrisons in Berwick Hills, to speak to residents about local issues.

The by-election was called in the wake of Sir Stuart Bell’s death.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage was also in town on Saturday showing his support for Richard Elvin who is standing for the party.

The other candidates are Conservative Ben Houchen, a solicitor and Stockton borough councillor; mental health nurse John Malcolm for the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition; Middlesbrough-born George Selmer for the Liberal Democrats; Imdad Hussain for the Peace Party; Peter Foreman for the British National Party; and Mark Heslehurst, who will contest the seat as an independent.