Luton South MP Margaret Moran hit the headlines this year after it emerged that she had claimed £22,500 to treat dry rot in a second home in Southampton - 100 miles from her constituency.

The 54-year-old Labour MP has since agreed to repay the money and announced her decision to step down at the end of this Parliament.

But that's not soon enough for the Luton and Dunstable Express which says the constituency needs a new MP now.

It has launched a 'Get Moran Out Now' campaign with the support of all the other prospective parliamentary candidates in the seat.

The paper wants Prime Minister Gordon Brown to sack Ms Moran so that a by-election can be held now.

Deputy editor Craig Lewis told HTFP: "Margaret Moran was one of the worst offenders in the expenses scandal, yet she didn't even take time out to explain her actions to her constituents via the local media.

"Instead she stood behind outdated rules and only announced she would quit at the General Election after being given a dressing down by Gordon Brown.

"Since then she has signed herself off sick leaving the people of Luton South without any representation in Parliament.

"People in Luton deserve an MP who cares for their needs - not the dry rot on a house in Southampton."

The paper claims Ms Moran has not attended Westminster since the scandal broke.

It said in its leader column: "Luton South needs an MP who will represent the needs of its constituents with honesty and integrity. It doesn’t need an MP who hasn’t spoken in the House of Commons for months."