The former leader of Kent County Council, Lord Bruce-Lockhart of the Weald, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 66.

Sir Sandy was leader of KCC from 1997 until 2005 and was the most powerful Conservative politician in office in the country during that time.

Earlier this year he was made a Freeman of the City of Canterbury.

He was also president of the New Marlowe Theatre Development Trust, which has set a target of raising £6million towards the £25m cost of the new building.

Cllr Paul Carter, who replaced Sir Sandy as leader of KCC, described him as a "charismatic leader", adding: "He will be enormously missed both locally in Kent and more broadly in the country."

See tributes to Sir Sandy