LORD Bruce-Lockhart, the former leader of Kent County Council, is recovering in hospital after an operation to remove a cancerous tumour.

Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, 65, led KCC for eight years before standing down in 2005.

He is married to Tess and has three children and recently became chairman of English Heritage after a spell as chairman of the Local Government Association.

He also recently accepted the job of chairing the Kent NHS Scrutiny Committee, a watchdog that oversees health services in the county.

A statement released on behalf of his family said: "Sandy Bruce-Lockhart had a major operation on Wednesday, September 20 to remove a cancerous tumour.

"He expects to spend a fortnight in hospital recovering and this will be followed by rest at home before any further treatment.

"Sandy, Tess and the family have been overwhelmed by so many kind messages and thank everyone for their great kindness and support."

Lord Bruce-Lockhart lives in Headcorn, near Maidstone, and remains a county councillor for Maidstone Rural East, which he has represented since 1989.

He was knighted in 2002 and was made a peer last year, given the title Baron Bruce-Lockhart, of The Weald in the County of Kent.