WALLASEY MP Angela Eagle has announced she will be standing to become the deputy leader of the Labour Party.

Ms Eagle - who has represented the constituency since 1992 - made the announcement in a video released online today.

She said: "We have just suffered a heartbreaking election defeat and our party is now at a critical moment.

"I've put myself forward because I love our country and our party and I care about the road we take.

"I want to be part of a leadership team that unites us and takes us forward. I'm ready for this."

The video features Labour Party members holding cards that read "I'm ready for Angela because..." with their reasons for supporting the MP.

She is the second Merseyside politician to launch a bid for the top jobs in the party after Liverpool-born Andy Burnham said he wants to be party leader.

Ms Eagle doubled her majority in the recent General Election.

She added: "I'm ready to make my campaign about you because together we need to debate our new direction and during this campaign I look forward to meeting you.

"Together I believe we can put our party on the path to victory."