GORDON BROWN is set to mark his elevation to prime minister with a star-studded Labour fundraising dinner attended by top sports figures and wealthy party donors.

The dinner on Thursday, July 12, will be held at the new Wembley stadium and will be hosted by Brown, Tony Blair and Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United.

Businessmen are being asked to pay at least £1,000 each to attend the dinner, while Labour plans to sign up three firms each paying £100,000 as sponsors.

Labour believes the sports evening will be one of its biggest fundraisers, surpassing the amount raised by this week’s gala dinner, which coincides with Blair’s resignation announcement.

The event is seen as Brown’s version of Blair’s “cool Britannia” parties for rock stars, actors and artists at No 10 after he was elected in 1997.

A Labour source said: “Blair was close to the luvvies but Brown is more comfortable with top sportsmen. The idea behind the dinner is to get together some of the most famous figures in sport to kick off the Brown premiership while raising a six-figure sum, which the party desperately needs.”

Figures from the sports world who have agreed to support Labour by hosting tables at the dinner include Steve Cram, the former Olympic runner; Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, the paralympian; Darren Campbell, the sprinter; and Dickie Bird, the former cricket umpire.

Lord Puttnam, the Oscar-winning film producer and Labour peer, has been commissioned to produce a DVD on Labour and sport for the event.

Richard Caborn, the sports minister, who is playing a key role in organising the fundraiser, said: “This will be one of the biggest ever Labour fundraising events.”

The party has launched a large drive in the City to ensure attendance, with Caborn phoning executives who have shown an interest in buying tables. With the party facing bankruptcy Brown is now having to take a close interest in fundraising and has already instructed Sir Ronald Cohen, a venture capitalist and close ally, to start lining up donations.

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