KITTY Ussher MP has paid tribute in Parliament to Alan Daiches, chairman of Burnley Youth Theatre and a Labour Party campaigner, who died recently.

The Burnley MP, who was represented at Alan's thanksgiving service by her husband Peter, was presenting her 10 Minute Rule Bill to help manufacturing industry in the House of Commons and began her speech by paying tribute to Alan.

She told fellow MPs: "By being in the House of Commons this afternoon, I am missing the funeral of a Labour Party colleague and friend, Alan Daiches.

"Although I am here in body, my thoughts and prayers are with him, his friends and family, in my constituency."

Afterwards Mrs Ussher added: "I'm sure the whole House of Commons joined me in paying tribute to Alan's many years of service to his community, to the Labour Party and particularly to the arts. He will be greatly missed."