Gordon Banks was praised by Gordon Brown as a shining example to the whole country last night.

The former goalkeeper was guest of honour at a dinner attended by the Prime Minister who said that Banks' achievements as a goalkeeper were unforgettable, while his decency as a man was just as responsible for his continuing popularity in Britain and the world of football.

Banks was invited to the dinner to help promote the match between a side managed by him and a side managed by Brazilian legend Pele at Stoke's Britannia stadium tomorrow, and so that the Prime Minister could give his support for the event. Part of the proceeds from the party's fundraising auction were given to the fund for the Banks statue being unveiled tomorrow.

He was accompanied by Don Mullan, who has led the campaign to have Banks properly recognised with the statue in Stoke.

Speaking to 600 people at a Labour Party event at Wembley stadium, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "It will be a fitting tribute to a footballing great."

Banks was seated alongside the Prime Minister for the dinner, attended by most members of the Cabinet and a host of famous faces from sport and showbiz.

The auction last night was conducted by former sports minister Dick Caborn and Tony Blair's former right hand man Alastair Campbell, who is playing in the match tomorrow.

Alastair Campbell said:

"Gordon Banks was one of several speakers at the event and impressed everyone with his warmth, his sincerity and his humility. It really added something special that he was there, at the scene of his greatest triumph, the World Cup win in 1966. My sons, who were born more than two decades after Gordon's World Cup win, were saying on the way home what a complete and total legend he is."

Banks was interviewed on stage by ITV's Clive Tyldesley. He said he still found it strange sometimes that people not even born when England won the World Cup, or when he made his most famous save from Pele four years later, knew so much about him and his career. He also said that though it might have been nice to have earned the kind of money today's footballers did, he would not have changed a thing.

To loud applause, Gordon Banks said:

"I had a great life on and off the field and if I could start it all over again, I would."