John Dingell, the longest serving congressman in US history, has announced he is retiring from office.

The Michigan Democrat was a driving force behind some of the most important liberal legislation of the past 60 years, notably health programmes.

Mr Dingell, 87, was 29 when he won a special election for his father's seat after his sudden death in 1955.

On Monday President Barack Obama called him one of the most influential legislators of all time.

And Vice-President Joe Biden, who served in Congress for 36 years, said Mr Dingell "fought for what he believed in, and got things done through relationships and his deep respect for others"....