Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The couple had been married for 51 years

David Cameron has led tributes to Conservative MP Ken Clarke's wife Gillian following her death.

The Prime Minister said she had been Mr Clarke's "rock" in his long political career, which saw him rise to be Chancellor of the Exchequer.

She died on Thursday aged 74 and had been battling cancer.

The couple, who have two children, met while they were students at Cambridge University and married in 1964.

The prime minister and his wife Samantha sent their condolences to the Clarke family, and described her death as "incredibly sad news".

'Thoughts and prayers'

Mr Cameron added: "I know that Gillian was Ken's rock, supporting him through his many years of frontline politics.

"They were always there for each other through thick and thin, so it is with enormous sadness that we think of Ken and his family today.

"We're holding them all in our thoughts and prayers."

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Mr Cameron said his thoughts were with the Clarke family, pictured here (from left to right) daughter Sue, son Kenneth and Mr and Mrs Clarke

Fellow Tory MPs also described Mrs Clarke - who lived in Nottinghamshire, in her husband's Rushcliffe constituency - as "brilliant" and "wonderful".

Tory MP Robert Jenrick, who represents Newark in Nottinghamshire, said: "All our thoughts in Nottinghamshire are with Ken Clarke and his family following the death of the brilliant and much-loved Gillian."

Solicitor General Robert Buckland, the MP for Swindon South, said: "Very sad to hear about the death of the wonderful Gillian Clarke - my thoughts are with Ken and his family."

The daughter of two teachers, from Sidcup, Kent, the then Gillian Edwards gained a first in history at Newnham College from the University of Cambridge.