FORMER Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller has died at the age of 70.

The Labour politician was first elected to the constituency seat in 1992, defeating the Conservative challenger Andrew Pearce and succeeding Tory MP Mike Woodcock.

He retained his seat at the following four General Elections in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2010, before stepping down in 2015, when he was succeeded by present MP Justin Madders.

During his many years in Parliament, Mr Miller served on numerous select committees and served for four years from 2001 to the ministers at the Department of Trade and Industry.

More locally, Mr Miller campaigned to protect the Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant from closing down completely in 2009, and since stepping down as an MP had been instrumental in the fruition of the Thornton Science Park, chairing the University of Chester, Thornton Science Park Advisory Board and the Engagement Advisory Board.

He was also MP as the Cheshire Oaks retail park developed and ultimately thrived.

Passionate about science, Mr Miller was 'humbled' to be made an honorary doctor of science in late 2014 from the University of Chester.

At the time, he said: "When my wife Fran and I moved to the North West in 1977, we had both been active as lay members of the Labour Party for some time but there was no grand plan for me to become an MP.

“After moving to the North West, I continued my political lay activities through the 80s and it was in 1991 when the local Labour Party was looking for a candidate that things changed.

“I was approached and asked to put my hat in the ring. With some trepidation I did so and then in April 1992 took the seat from my opponents with a majority of 1,989 – not exactly a safe seat at that time.

“With some 24 years of activism under my belt at that stage, I had seen the best and the worst of politics and I soon came to realise that in Ellesmere Port and Neston there were some of the most decent hardworking people one could want to meet.

"Whilst I have done many things as an MP, I want to concentrate on two, local issues and my involvement in science policy.

“I have tried to drive things forward locally by working with industry, commerce, the third sector and academia. Successes at Vauxhall Motors, Cheshire Oaks and more recently Thornton are amongst the highlights."

Labour politicians have been putting tributes out on social media following Mr Miller's passing.

David Hanson, who was MP for Delyn in Flintshire from 1992 until December 2019, wrote: "This is incredibly sad news and my heart goes out to Fran and the family.

"Andrew was a good friend over 38 years before we were both elected in 1992 and in Parliament. He was simply the best of the Labour movement."

City of Chester MP Chris Matheson wrote: "I am deeply, deeply saddened to hear of the news of the death of Andrew Miller, who has been over 25 years a friend and mentor, who did so much for Cheshire, and so much to promote science in Parliament.

"All my love to Fran and the family."

Cheshire West and Chester councillor Karen Shore added: "Feeling very saddened by this terrible news. Andrew was a good man who will be sorely missed.

"Thoughts with Fran and the children at this most difficult of times."

Mr Miller leaves behind wife Fran and three children.