MALVERN Festival Theatre's current run of The Lady in the Van will be attended tonight by Peter Luff.

Alan Bennett's story is of special interest to the theatre-loving MP, evoking fond memories of his first election campaign in 1987.

Back then, Mr Luff was standing against Frank Dobson - later to become Health Secretary under Tony Blair - for the seat of Holborn and St Pancras in north London.

A safe Labour seat then and now, it was never likely to turn Tory, even at the height of Margaret Thatcher's electoral success, and Mr Dobson held his seat.

However, Mr Luff could count on the support of at least one resident of Holborn and St Pancras: Mary Shepherd, otherwise known as the Lady in the Van.

Miss Shepherd was an elderly eccentric who lived in a van in Alan Bennett's front garden in Camden for 15 years.

When Mr Luff went canvassing for support in 1987, the famous writer wasn't at home and Miss Shepherd was less than coherent.

But she still managed to provide him with a little cheer - his election poster was in the window of her famous van.