A service of thanksgiving celebrating the life and work of late former Wirral MP Frank Field will be held later today (Monday, June 17).

It is due to take place at Christ Church on Bessborough Road in Oxton, starting at 2pm.

It will feature readings chosen by Frank himself. In a statement, his family said all are welcome.

The former Labour minister and crossbench peer - who was an MP in Birkenhead for four decades - died on April 23, aged 81, in a London care home following a period of illness.

He revealed he was terminally ill in October 2021 and had spent time in a hospice when a statement from him was read out in the House of Lords calling for laws on assisted dying to be relaxed.

A statement from Lord Field’s family, issued by his Parliamentary office and posted on X, formerly Twitter, confirmed his passing. It read: "Through a long battle with cancer, Frank Field remained resilient and engaged with life until the end.

“He will be enormously missed by his family and wide circle of friends.

“Frank was an extraordinary individual who spent his life fighting poverty, injustice and environmental destruction.

"His decency and faith in people’s self-interested altruism made a unique contribution to British politics.

“After 40 years of dedicated public service, Frank will be mourned by admirers across the political divide.

"But above all, he will be deeply missed by those lucky enough to have enjoyed his laughter and friendship.”

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle called Lord Field a "formidable MP" who was "neither cowed by the establishment or whips", and was the “driving force” behind Parliament’s commitment to prevent slavery and human trafficking within its supply chains.

“Having worked with him on the modern slavery advisory group, and made him its chair, I am in no doubt his efforts saved many lives nationwide from this shameful criminal activity.

“Suffice to say, he was one of a kind and he will be sorely missed.”

The statement from Lord Field's family read: "A service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Frank Field will be held on Monday, June 17 at 2pm at Christ Church on Bessborough Road, Oxton.

"With readings chosen by Frank himself. All are welcome."