BEST wishes are pouring in for a politician who is seriously ill in hospital.

Ellesmere Port county councillor Derek Bateman is on life-support at the Countess of Chester after being rushed there by ambulance at the weekend.

His family are mounting a vigil at his bedside in the intensive care unit as he battles serious respiratory problems.

A close family member said: 'Since Christmas, he's been suffering with a bit of breathlessness - and he just couldn't breathe on Saturday.

'He was taken ill around 6.30am and we took him to the Countess, where he's currently in intensive care on life-support.

'The paramedics said if they hadn't got to him when they did, we might not still have him. Doctors are doing a lot of tests - he is very poorly.'

Cllr Bateman, 58, is Labour group leader on the county council. He represents the Central and Westminster Division in Ellesmere Port, where he's lived all his life.

A council colleague said: 'Everyone at County Hall - all the officers and members - were extremely shocked and concerned to hear of Derek's illness and we are all hoping he makes a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.'

Cllr Bateman was a machinist at Vauxhall Motors in the Port until he became a full-time politician.

He joined the borough council in 1973, when he was elected as its youngest member - aged 27 - for the old Stanlow Ward.

He then joined the county council in 1977, first representing the old Sutton and Rivacre Division.

His long service for the county has made him the official Father of the Council.

A married man and grandfather, Cllr Bateman still lives in the town centre.