BOOKMAKERS have slashed the odds for Andy Burnham to become next Labour leader after a 'disappointing' set of local elections for Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour party.

Andy Burnham winning the Greater Manchester mayoral election in a landslide victory this week was one of the few success stories for the Labour party in England.

In last weeks local council elections, the Conservatives made a net gain of 12 councils across England, while Labour has lost control of eight.

Labour retained control of Manchester City Council but in Bolton, the Conservative party leapfrogged the Labour party to become the largest political force in the borough.

Now, betting companies are now stating that Andy Burnham is the most likely person to become the next leader of the Labour party.

PaddyPower is giving 5/2 odds for Burnham becoming the next party leader, with London mayor Sadiq Khan his closest contender.

Sky Bet gives similar odds, and is also offering 4/1 odds on Sir Keir Starmer stepping down this year.

It comes as Starmer is expected to reshuffle his frontbench imminently, including finding a significant new role for his deputy, Angela Rayner, after sacking her as party chair caused a backlash within party ranks.

In a television interview after the losses across the country, the Labour leader said he takes 'full responsibility' for the results and would 'do whatever is necessary to fix that'.

In his first comments after losing the seat in Hartlepool, Sir Keir said he believed his party had 'lost the trust of working people particularly in places like Hartlepool'.

"We have not made a strong enough case to the country," he added.