John Prescott yesterday announced that he will bring down the curtain on his 37-year Commons career when he steps down as an MP at the next General Election.

The former deputy prime minister said it had been a "huge privilege" to serve as MP for Hull East.

Mr Prescott, 69, threw a party for about 200 local Labour activists at the weekend and told them of his decision.

Stephen Brady, local association chairman, said: "John told us he would not be standing again. People paid tribute to his long service. It was an emotional event."

Mr Prescott is not expected to retire from public life, having recently been appointed head of the parliamentary delegation to the Council of Europe.

Westminster watchers also believe he will enter the House of Lords soon after leaving the Commons.

"It has been a huge privilege to represent the people of Hull East over the last 37 years," Mr Prescott said in a statement yesterday.

"I will continue to do that until the next General Election, whenever that might be."

Mr Prescott acted as Tony Blair's deputy for a decade before stepping down in June.

But his garbled speech and aggressive manner led to him becoming something of a figure of fun.

During the 2001 General Election campaign Mr Prescott punched a protestor who pelted him with an egg, and after Labour's victory he was stripped of departmental responsibilities - sparking questions about what his role was.

Among the contenders to succeed him as Hull East MP is his son, David.