Medway Council leader Cllr Rodney Chambers has paid tribute to Lord Bruce-Lockhart of the Weald - known throughout Kent as Sandy - who died on Thursday morning after a long battle with cancer.

Sir Sandy was leader of Kent County Council from 1997 until 2005 - and was the most powerful Conservative politician in office in the country during that time. He was 66.

Speaking to KMfm journalist Rhona Pinkerton he spoke of his sadness at the loss of someone who had commanded great respect in Kent, but also across the UK.

He said: “I’ve know Sandy for a considerable amouint of time and enjoyed working closely with him as leader of the county council and I as leader of Medway over a considerable number of years.

“I always had the highest regard for him and regarded him as a friend.

“We had our differences, [although] that was really about when Medway Council was created.

“But after Medway Council came on the scene Sandy was very supportive in helping us get underway. I always could look to him for advice and I shall miss the availability of that advice greatly.

“He was extremely well respected in many ways not only in his work in local government but [also] the farmin community and in many walks of life.

“There wasn’t much that actually went on in Kent that wasn’t touched by Sandy and I know all the organisations and groups and councils that came into contact with him greatly appreciated the very sound advice and the co-operation that [he] gave in so many ways.

“He gave local government not only in Kent but in the country as a whole a very honourable position because he was a very honourable man.

“Although as I said we had our differences he was always very affable.

“ He was always very available should I be seeking advice. There were some occasions when he came onto me here in Medway to ask if I could give him some help, but that wasn’t too often.

“It was almost always in the other direction and that I shall miss greatly in being able to pick up the phone and say ‘Sandy, what do you think about this?’

“I would like to extend my condolensces to his family. I know the last few months have been difficult but Sandy has fought very valiantly over those months and knowing Sandy as I do he put up a tremendous fight.”