Calls have been made for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to repair a hospital that is 'literally falling down' as top bosses issue a plea for Stockport.

When Mr Burnham was running in the Makerfield by-election in May, Stockport Council leader Mark Roberts said he would on day one of a potential Burnham government send him a letter 'of all of the things we want to deliver in Stockport that we have not been able to do because of the current government's lack of funding.'

He told the LDRS: "To unlock the potential that we have here, we can achieve brilliant things but not if the government do not back us. That is what he can expect."

Nearly two months later and the day after Mr Burnham became Prime Minister on July 20, Cllr Roberts has written to the government setting out what he thinks Stockport deserves from the new leadership.

He said: "The Prime Minister was a strong advocate for our bold ambition for Stockport in his last job; I sincerely hope that this continues into his new one, but he has to start delivering quickly."

He added: "We hope the Prime Minister will see this letter for what it is, an invitation to work collaboratively on building on our excellent record of delivery, giving us the resources we need to deliver good growth and rectifying the mistakes of both the previous Tory and Labour Governments."

The letter sets out the local authority's three priorities for the borough including 'fair funding and not just in name only' as Cllr Roberts called for more money to support essential services.

The borough leader said: "Stockport is ambitious, well-run and delivering for residents, but we cannot be held back by a funding system that fails to reflect Stockport's need, areas of deprivation, local population pressures or the cost of essential services.

"A fairer settlement would allow us to protect frontline services, invest in prevention and give our communities the support they deserve."

Cllr Roberts said the borough also needed to see the Metrolink tram network extended to the borough arguing the town 'is one of the fastest growing in the country and has already done the hard work to prepare for that investment'. This includes the Stockport Interchange which was built with the help of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority under Mr Burnham.

The last issue Cllr Roberts raised is 'urgent and substantial investment' at Stepping Hill Hospital. Liberal Democrat MPs Tom Morrison and Lisa Smart have also written to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper who said there was a £138m repair backlog there and 'the clock is ticking'.

While the hospital has seen major investment with a number of new buildings as well as a cancer centre, Ms Smart said: "This repair backlog shows the state of the older buildings – some of which are older than the NHS itself.

"I want the government to commit to a second site for Stepping Hill, which is the practical step needed to be able to bring the hospital up to the standard that these new facilities set."

Cllr Roberts said: "Residents and staff should not have to rely on services delivered from ageing, deteriorating buildings that are literally falling down around them. The hospital is central to health care in our borough, but it is under extreme pressure and has a significant repair backlog.

"We need immediate funding to make the existing site safe and fit for purpose, alongside a serious long-term plan for modern health facilities that meet Stockport's future needs."

He added: "Prime Minister, you know Greater Manchester and you know Stockport. You understand the difference that long-term investment, fair devolution and practical delivery can make.

"I hope that, under your leadership in Westminster, Stockport will finally receive the fair deal it needs to grow, protect vital services and deliver the infrastructure our residents have waited too long to see."