Gillingham and Rainham's former Labour MP has pledged his full support for the party's new leader, Ed Miliband.

Paul Clark, who was an MP from 1997 to this May, said he backs the new man at the helm of Labour.

Mr Milliband, who visited Gillingham on his leadership campaign in July, took the title with a wafer-thin majority of just 1.3 per cent on Saturday.

He beat his brother David and three other rivals - Ed Balls, Andy Burnham and Diane Abbott - to the leadership role.

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Manchester, Mr Clark told the Messenger: "I was there when the announcement was made and I'm happy we have a new leader and can get on with being an effective opposition party.

"I wanted to see we had a strong leader and they all had their strengths, but I think Ed will be an excellent leader.

"He's got to listen and talk to the people who live in the Medway Towns and find out what issues are important to them.

"I absolutely give my support to Ed and I'm sure he will get on with the work the party should be doing."

During his campaign, former energy secretary Mr Miliband visited Gillingham Labour Club, in Twydall, before canvassing for support in Brompton.