There are few reminders Dame Thora was born in Morecambe

Geraldine Smith, MP for Morecambe, where Dame Thora was born, believes a theatrical tribute should be created.

Ms Smith said the memorial to the 91-year-old star of stage and screen, who died on Saturday, should be included in any refurbishment of the Winter Gardens in the town.

Currently there are few reminders that Dame Thora came from the town, with the theatre where she made her stage debut now replaced by a shopping centre.

On Monday Ms Smith told BBC North West Today: "I would like to see something associated with the Winter Gardens.

Honorary patron

"We've got a terrific theatre [there] that's been rundown and declined."

She said although the outside of the building had been refurbished, the inside was just "a shell".

"We should be looking to bringing that theatre back to life and we should be looking at somehow fitting a tribute to Thora Hird around that," said Ms Smith.

Dame Thora was honorary patron of the group that has campaigned to see the Winter Gardens restored to its former glory.

Any tribute would complement the memorial to the late comedian Eric Morecambe, who was also born in the town.