ANDY Burnham, the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said he would put his "heart and soul" into the "dream job".

Arriving at his new offices in central London, the Leigh MP also took the opportunity to pay tribute to former Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain, whose resignation sparked yesterday's changes in the Cabinet.

Mr Burnham said: "This is my dream job and it is a fantastic time to take it on with the thriving cultural and arts sector in the country, preparations for the Olympic Games well under way and of course my family's home city (Liverpool) this year is crowned as European City of Culture.

"Anybody who knows me knows that I will put my heart and soul into this job."

He added: "I would like to pay tribute to a good friend, Peter Hain, who has made an outstanding contribution to the Labour Party and to this Government over many years."

His new job should suit the 38-year-old MP, who supports Everton FC and regularly follows Leigh Centurians RLC.