House of Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd surprised Westminster last night by announcing she would resign from the post and her seat before the next General Election.

Miss Boothroyd, 70, told MPs that she would end her eight-year tenure of the Speaker's chair shortly before the House returns from summer recess in October.

The move will spark a race for her succession among senior Parliamentarians and, ultimately, a by-election in the safe Labour seat of West Bromwich West.

Tony Blair said Miss Boothroyd - Parliament's first woman Speaker - had become "a national institution".

Announcing her retirement after Prime Minister's questions, she said she had decided to go before the election to ensure MPs knew the qualities of her potential successors.

"It has been a very great honour to serve the House as its Speaker for more than eight years," she said.

To prolonged applause, Miss Boothroyd added: "Be happy for me!"

Miss Boothroyd, a former professional dancer, was elected Speaker in 1992. Thanks to television coverage of the Commons, she has become a celebrity in Britain and abroad for barking "Order Order" at unruly MPs above the din of the chamber.

Politicians across the political divide last night praised her skills. The Prime Minister said: "She is a really outstanding Speaker, not just because she is sharp and to the point but because she has a marvellous way of using humour and fun to try to deflect really difficult situations."

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: "Betty Boothroyd has presided over the House with a charm and authority."

Miss Boothroyd's successor will be decided by a vote of MPs in October. Labour MP for Blaydon, John McWilliam, became the first to declare his candidacy.

Among the front-runners are Liberal Democrat Menzies Campbell, Shadow Commons leader Sir George Young, veteran Labour backbencher Gwyneth Dunwoody and the current Deputy Speaker, Tory MP Sir Alan Haselhurst.

Hard act to follow - Page 11