Candy Atherton: Ex Falmouth and Camborne Labour MP dies Published duration 31 October 2017

image caption Candy Atherton was passionate about campaigning for women's rights and disability issues

The former Labour MP and campaigner Candy Atherton has died aged 62.

Ms Atherton won the marginal seat of Falmouth and Camborne at the 1997 general election beating Conservative Sebastian Coe.

She held the seat for eight years, doubling her majority in 2001, but losing her seat in 2005 to Liberal Democrat Julia Goldsworthy.

After her parliamentary career, she focused on rural housing issues.

Candy Atherton was the first person selected as a candidate from an all-female shortlist and was among the 101 women Labour MPs elected in 1997 dubbed the "Blair Babes".

image copyright PA image caption Tony Blair surrounded by his 101 women MPs in Westminster 1997

Ms Atherton returned to politics when she was elected to Cornwall Council in 2013, representing the Falmouth Smithwick division.

She also campaigned on women's rights and disability issues.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted : "I'm sad to hear of the sudden death of Candy Atherton. Candy was a proud champion of Cornwall."

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson tweeted that he was "very sad to read that Candy Atherton has died."

Boundary changes meant the Falmouth and Camborne constituency was abolished at the 2010 general election.