A MEMORIAL service for Cheadle MP and former Poynton High School science teacher Patsy Calton is to be attended by Liberal Democrat Party Leader Charles Kennedy on Friday.

Big crowds are expected to want to say farewell to the politician at the service at St George's church, Heaviley at 11.30am on Friday and Stockport council has arranged free car parking at Stopford House in the town centre with free buses to the church.

Patsy, who underwent a double mastectomy in 1997, was struck down by cancer of the spine in February and only finished treatment earlier this month. She was successfully re-elected as MP and insisted on visiting Parliament to be sworn in as MP last week despite the dreadful toll it might have on her health.

Patsy was born into an RAF family and began her schooling in Egypt before later attending Wymondham College in Norfolk. She completed a degree in biochemistry at Umist, followed by a postgraduate degree in education at the University of Manchester, determined to teach chemistry.

Her involvement in local politics won her a local ward seat in West Bramhall in 1994 and during her time as a councillor she served as deputy leader of Stockport Council and chairman of social services.

She was elected Cheadle MP in 2001 with a wafer-thin 33-vote majority. The victory forced her to give up her job as a science teacher at Poynton High School and representatives of the school are expected to attend the service.

Along with husband Clive, Patsy leaves son Andrew and daughters Libby and Catherine.