A front page appeal urging readers to vote in a by-election today has been published by a regional daily.

The Oldham Chronicle splashed on a comment piece yesterday calling on voters to turn out in the Oldham West and Royton by-election.

The poll was triggered by the death of veteran Labour MP Michael Meacher in October and Labour is facing a strong challenge from UKIP to hold onto the previously-safe seat.

The Chronicle previously broke the news of Mr Meacher’s death on its website.

Yesterday’s comment piece on the front page, pictured above, reads: “Tonight the Chronicle urges the 76,000-plus eligible voters to get out and put their cross on the ballot form to show the country that Oldham does care.

“This newspaper does not tell Oldhamers who to vote for but has consistently championed the democratic process. The last thing we want to show the country is a desperately low poll that puts apathy and indifference at the top of the agenda.

“Yes, it is December and yes, it will be tempting, on a damp, dark evening, to stay at home. But voting takes minutes. The polling stations are never far away and are open until 10pm.

“The new Member of Parliament will be your representative for at least the next four years and can, and often will, make a telling contribution to local issues.

“Oldham wants to improve as a town. There are many businesses and individuals striving for this to happen. We need to engage the public in the issues of the day, and the growing emergence of the “DevoManc” debate and devolved powers for the North makes it even more important that we understand how such decisions in the political arena affect our lives.

“The right to vote was hard fought for. Please use it.”