STAR TREK actor Patrick Stewart has given the Labour Party £50,000.
The Mirfield-born star's gift was made in the last three months, according to figures from the Electoral Commission.
His cash backing was revealed as the 63-year-old joined Labour-supporting celebrities at the launch of a campaign to encourage more people to have their say in next month's elections by postal voting.
He sat with former East- Enders actor TV actor Ross Kemp, actress Prunella Scales and Trudie Goodwin, from ITV's The Bill, on a sofa next to a red pillarbox, to show how easy it is for voters to access the ballot box.
Stewart said it was crucial that people used their vote in the local and European Union elections on June 10 - even if they voted against Labour in protest at the war in Iraq.
He also said that if postal voting encouraged more people to take part in the democratic process, then it had to be a good thing.
"It is critical that, with the European and the local elections, people are motivated to use their vote at a time when turnout is quite low," Stewart added.
"Postal voting creates more of an opportunity for more people to vote.
"It is simple and straightforward. Hopefully, it will get more people to do their civic duty.
"There can never be any harm in getting people to the ballot box, no matter how it's done," the actor said.
