A FREAK gardening accident to his wife spoiled a surprise dinner on Sunday to celebrate East Lancashire MP Peter Pike's 20 years in Parliament.

His daughters Jane and Carol has organised the the event at the Alexandra Hotel on Todmorden Road, Burnley, without telling their father.

They had secretly invited more than 60 guests covering his political career as a Burnley councillor, leader of the local authority, and then MP for the town.

But on Sunday afternoon Mr Pike's wife Sheila fell backwards while gardening and split her head open on a plant pot.

She was taken to Burnley General Hospital by her husband who had to be called back in the car just after setting out to his constituency office.

As a result Mr Pike had to be told of the surprise dinner and forced to attend despite his concern for his wife.

Although Sheila recovered enough to be allowed home that night she was unable to attend the dinner.

Jane said: "The day ended up being somewhat fraught after I found mum in the garden absolutely pouring with blood having tripped over backwards and cut her head open badly.

"We spent the whole of the afternoon in casualty with her and ultimately had to reveal the whole surprise to dad."

Mr Pike added: "Obviously what happened took away the surprise and some of the shine of Sunday evening. I really wish she had been able to attend and I know she was looking forward to it."