BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw spoke of the "star qualities" of his friend, mentor, teacher and critic Barbara Castle at a service in her honour today.

The Foreign Secretary, a former secretary of Baroness Castle was among the many dignitaries at the Thanksgiving Service at Blackburn Cathedral.

Baroness Castle, who served the town as its MP from 1945 to 1979, died in May of this year aged 91 at her Buckinghamshire home.

In that time she fought the corner of her constituents, earning her the tag of people's champions, and the reputation of the most formidable female politician after Margaret Thatcher.

She was made a Freeman of the Borough of Blackburn in 1979 and when made a life peer in 1990, took the title of Lady Castle of Blackburn.

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong led the service urging those gathered to "sing lustily" as Barbara herself so enjoyed doing.

He remarked she was a "passionate and effective servant of this town" and a great champion of the poor and marginalised.

Mr Armstrong said: "Her character was legendary, her energy limitless, her love of family profound and her kindness touched many."

Mr Straw remembered her as someone who fought for what she believed in - not just as a national level, but for her constituents as well.

Although part of a generation of politicians who remained somewhat aloof to the town they represented, Mr Straw said Baroness Castle helped bring confidence back to Blackburn.

He said: "There was something about Barbara. She was a star who had this magic about her, people loved her, people hated her but they could never ignore her.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson, who was her secretary for seven years, spoke about their first meeting 28 years ago and her campaigning for women's issues.