THE LIFE of political stalwart Len Dole was commemorated at a special service at the weekend.

Political dignitaries paid their respects at the service in Roughlee, where the lifelong campaigner's ashes were laid to rest.

A beech tree was also planted in the grounds of Clarion House, Jinny Lane, which was one of several built by the Independent Labour Party as country retreats.

Len, who died in January aged 85, was a lifelong socialist and one of the borough's most popular political figures.

Len was a member of the Labour Party for 70 years, acting as a party agent for 33 years for MPs including Sydney Silverman and Gordon Prentice, before resigning in March last year over the war in Iraq.

He had been married to wife Betty, a former councillor and magistrate, for 64 years and had two children, Janet and Len.

Among family members who were invited to pay their respects were Mr Prentice, Lord Doug Hoyle of Warrington and members of the Sydney Silverman family.

Veteran campaigner Tony Benn was among the hundreds to offer condolences to his family.

A fitting tribute was read by Roger Silverman at the private service.

He said: "The association of Len with the Silverman family goes back 71 years. Len was a hero of the working class. His biggest fault was his modesty. Yes, he made a major contribution to the life of the local community, but he had the human qualities to be a leader on a far bigger arena. He was a fighter, a socialist, a trade unionist, a co-operator, an anti-fascist, an internationalist.'

Betty, 82, said: "This is what Len would have wanted. It's a touching tribute to him that people have travelled from America, London and Cheshire to be here.

"He'll be at peace here. It's been a sad but yet happy occasion for everyone who came here because his memory will live on."

Len was also a life member of the Transport and General Workers' Union and had been chair of Pendle Trades Council, served on the Co-op regional board and helped set up a charity, the District Children's Christmas Appeal.

Mr Prentice said: "Len lived his whole life round an ideal - that doing things collectively was the best way forward.

"Len and Betty together shaped a political generation. I am proud to have known him."