Penal charity role for PM's wife

Cherie Blair is one of four 'celebrity ambassadors' for the league

Cherie Blair has been appointed as one of four "celebrity ambassadors" by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

The prime minister's wife, a leading human rights lawyer, was appointed with TV gardener Monty Don, actor Ray Fearon and actress Prunella Scales.

The Howard League said the four would help campaign for the group, which aims to improve offenders' rehabilitation.

It added that Mrs Blair, who practises under her maiden name Booth, had often supported the league's child policy.

The league was established in 1866 and is named after John Howard, one of the first prison reformers.

It is independent of government and is funded by voluntary donations.

It said that Mr Don was presented with the Howard League Margery Fry Award in 2006 in recognition of his work with people to prevent re-offending through the Monty Project.

Mr Fearon, a one-time contestant on Strictly Come Dancing as well as appearing in theatre, television and film, has worked with the league in schools on the citizenship and crime prevention programme.

Ms Scales, known for her Fawlty Towers role, has organised fundraising lunches, participated in the citizenship programme and taken part in discussions at conferences and lectures.