The funeral of murdered PC Sharon Beshenivsky, from Keighley, is to be held at Bradford Cathedral on Wednesday.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke and Police Minister Hazel Blears are among the dignitaries expected to attend, along with chief constables from police forces around the country.

More than 400 of PC Beshenivsky's colleagues are expected to turn up, either at the cathedral or in Centenary Square, where the service will be relayed on giant TV screens.

The cortege will pass the place in Morley Street where the 38-year-old married mother-of-five was shot dead on November 18 as she responded to a personal attack alarm at the Universal Express travel agents.

The funeral procession will also halt outside the Bradford South Police headquarters, in The Tyrls, where PC Beshenivsky was based.

The funeral service is expected to bring Bradford city centre to a standstill as thousands of people turn out to pay their respects. It will be followed by an interment at Nab Wood Cemetery.

West Yorkshire Police Authority chairman Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson said it would be a high profile event.

He said: "The messages of support and sympathy that have come in from people locally, nationally and internationally mean this will be remembered for a long time to come in Bradford."

Stars of stage and screen will join forces in a special concert for the family of PC Beshenivsky.

Soap stars, singers and comedians will all appear at the Gala Variety Night, at St George's Hall, in Bradford, on February 12, with organisers hoping to raise up to £20,000.

Chris Chittell from Emmerdale, former Eastender Dean Gaffney and ex-Brookside star Michael Starke are set to take part. West End singer Michael Sterling, who played the lead roles in Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, will lead a cast of actors and singers from London and Dublin.

Other names involved include comedian Steve Womack, children's television presenter Sophie McDonnell and former Gladiator turned actor James Crossley.

The police band will also perform, along with local drama and dance groups.

Organiser Daniel Coll, of Garden Road, Brighouse, said: "If we fill the theatre we should raise between £15,000 and £20,000. It promises to be a spectacular night of comedy, music, drama and dance.

"We aim to provide a superb night of entertainment, full of music and laughter in a show that people in West Yorkshire should talk about for years."

Mr Coll is organising the show with his brother, Stuart Wade, who played the role of Biff in Emmerdale and who will also appear at the show.

Their brother, Mark Wade, 33, of Brighouse, is a police officer and served in the force with PC Beshenivsky.

Tickets for the show can be purchased from St George's Hall box office on 01273 432000. Tickets range from £8 to £50 for a champagne reception.

Two men -- Yusuf Jama, 19, and Muzzaker Imtiaz Shah, 24 -- have been charged with the murder of PC Beshenivsky, who lived in Back Shaw Lane, Hainworth. A trial has been set for June 12. Police are still searching for Mustaf Jama, 25, in connection with the incident.