SENIOR Labour party figures, possibly including the Prime Minister, will celebrate the life of former Blackburn MP Barbara Castle at Westminster on Tuesday, July 9.

A special non-religious commemoration of the former cabinet minister who died this year, aged 91, will be held at the Methodist Central Hall, opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Up to 1,000 people are expected at the service including former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who will chair the proceedings, and his wife Glenys, who will be one of a series of speakers.

Current Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Chancellor Gordon Brown, former Labour leader Michael Foot and Baroness Castle's niece Rachel Hinton, will also speak.

There are hopes that if security and his schedule permits, Prime Minister Mr Blair will also attend.

The event will be concluded by former Blackburn council leader Lord Tom Taylor.