A RACECOURSE is staging a race tomorrow in memory of one the region's most popular figures.

Thousands of racegoers at Redcar will be joining in the celebrations to mark the life of a remarkable politician and the town's most famous citizen.

The course is staging the race to pay tribute to Mo Mowlam, who was the MP for Redcar for 14 years and achieved world-wide recognition for her political achievements and her unique personality.

She died last year at the age of 55.

The racecourse was a place close to Dr Mowlam's heart. It was where she held her wedding reception in 1995 and was always a vociferous supporter of the track.

Neil Etherington, Redcar racecourse chief executive, said: "We have decided the call the race the Celebrating Mo Mowlam Claiming Stakes, because we feel celebration is what it should be all about.

"Although Mo's life was tragically cut short, there is a huge amount about her to celebrate and we think it is particularly appropriate that here in the heart of the constituency she loved so much we demonstrate the lasting affection felt for her by local people.

Redcar MP Vera Baird said: "The race will be another chance for people to celebrate the life of a remarkable politician, a wonderful human being and someone we will never forget."

The Celebrating Mo Mowlam Claiming Stakes takes place at 4.35pm and will be over a one mile and one furlong for four-year-olds and over.

The prize presentation for the race will be made by Ms Baird and one of Mo Mowlam's closest friends Councillor Vilma Collins.

There will be a collection for the MoMo Helps Fund, the charity set up by Mo Mowlam in 2004 to support families and carers of people with disabilities and recovering and ex-drug users.