A THANKSGIVING service for the life and work of a former Taunton MP is being held next week.

The Rt Hon Sir Edward du Cann wil be remembered at the event in St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, at noon on Tuesday (November 13).

Conservative politician Sir Edward, who represented the constituency from 1956 to 1987, died aged 93 in September.

He was chairman of the influential 1922 backbench committee for 12 years and supported Margaret Thatcher when she ousted Edward Heath as party leader.

A meeting of MPs he chaired in 1975 sparked the leadership contest that led to Thatcher taking the helm.

He had many business interests and became chairman of Lonhro under Tiny Rowland.

He was heavily criticised in many cricles for his business dealings, which earned him the nickname 'du Cann of worms'.

He used to own Cothay Manor, although he had a number of run ins over defaulting on his mortgage on a number of occasions.

Sir Edward was Conservative party chairman under Ted Heath when the party formed the opposition after its 1964 election defeat.

He was twice married, firstly to his cousin and later to the widow of a former colleague.