INFLUENTIAL Birkenhead MP Frank Field has won two awards for his work in spearheading the fight against hunger both in the town and nationally.

Leading news website The Huffington Post UK named Mr Field as one of their 'Heroes of the Year' following his "exceptionally thorough, non-partisan, and sober investigation".

As well as winning the award for his work on the national inquiry into the UK's hunger, Mr Field was also recognised for leading the fight back against hunger in Birkenhead.

Mr Field - the only MP to be nominated - was also named Youth Champion by Backbench, a new political website aimed at young people.

The nomination followed his work in "best promoting young people's interests during 2014" through his work on combating child poverty and setting up Feeding Birkenhead.

"We’re facing some enormous challenges in Birkenhead," said Mr Field.

"The past year has brought with it a wave of hunger and hardship for a growing number of families across the town. 

"Following our inquiry we now have a much clearer picture of the root causes behind this grim state of affairs. I’m now working with our local churches and a whole range of groups on an effective response to each of these problems.

"I think it's just amazing that in 2015 we have people who are hungry in a country that wastes huge amounts of food each year.

"What we have got to do is make sure more of that waste is actually recycled."