A BARROW-BORN MP and member of the shadow cabinet has married her partner of 11 years - with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attending the celebrations.

Cat Smith and Ben Soffa were married in a civil wedding at the Ashton Memorial in Lancaster followed by a reception at the Lancaster House Hotel in Ellel on September 2.

The couple started dating in 2005, with a first date at Lancaster’s Pizza Margherita followed by a trip to the Duke’s Cinema.

In 2015, on the 10th anniversary of their first date, they returned to the same restaurant where they got engaged.

Since then Ms Smith has been elected as the MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood and has been recruited to the shadow cabinet as shadow minister for voter engagement and youth affairs.

The couple were joined by around 80 guests, family and close friends, including the Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn. The MP has said she will continue using her maiden name.

At their reception the couple served a wedding breakfast from a locally-sourced menu including Fleetwood fish battered in Lancaster Brewery ale and Cartmel sticky toffee pudding.

In a statement, the newlyweds said: “We are delighted so many of our friends and family could join us on this special day to wish us well. We are planning on beginning our married life with a short honeymoon to Scotland before returning to Lancaster together.”

WEDDING BREAKFAST MENU

Starters

Melon selection (vegan)

Spiced vegetable bruschetta with mozzarella cheese with a balsamic drizzle

Leek and Pilling potato soup

Mains

Neves of Fleetwood fish and chips - Lancaster Brewery blonde beer battered cod with homemade mushy peas & tartare sauce

Sunblush tomato, asparagus & Garstang Blue cheese tart served with celeriac coleslaw & new potatoes

Vegetable shalott with seasonal vegetables, parmentier potatoes & a tomato relish (vegan)

Puddings

Seasonal fruit salad (vegan)

Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding with local Walling’s ice cream or custard

Chocolate and kirsch cherry tart with brandy infused chocolate sauce