MIKE Amesbury MP has paid tribute to female heroes past and present in his constituency as the country marks International Women’s Day.

Today, Thursday, commemorates the movement for women’s rights and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, and this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of some women gaining the vote in this country.

The Weaver Vale MP has singled out a ‘trailblazing’ 16-year-old from Northwich as he pays tribute to Weaver Vale’s rich history of pioneering women.

Jess Leigh, who attends St Nicholas Catholic High School, is the Cheshire West and Chester representative in the UK Youth Parliament.

Last year she played a part in a House of Commons debate on lowering the voting age from 18 to 16.

Mr Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, said: My constituency has a proud history of producing formidable women who have helped to drive forward political change in this country. International Women’s Day is a date where we not only mark the progress women have made in making great strides towards equality, but crucially, also remember how much progress we still have yet to make as a society.”

Mike also singled out Harriet Shaw Weaver from Frodsham, who was one of the original suffragettes, a political activist and magazine editor born in the town in 1876.

He also cited Barbara Ayrton-Gould, who stood in three consecutive general elections from 1924. She went on to become chair of the Labour Party.