Gillingham MP Paul Clark has added his tribute to those pouring in following the death of Lord Bruce-Lockhart of the Weald.

Sir Sandy, 66, died on Thursday, August 14 morning after a long battle with cancer

He 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.

Labour's Mr Clark said he was "sincerely saddened" by Sir Sandy's death.

"He was a major player on the Kent political scene for many years. When he moved on to The Local Government Association and English Heritage - their gain was Kent’s loss," he said.

“Locally, Sandy and I were on the Thames Gateway Kent Partnership Board together from its inception. Whilst we did not always see eye to eye on every issue, he was a person whom you respected for their commitment and hard work for Kent.

“On the national political scene, in Whitehall, I saw Sandy at work on behalf of the Local Government Association when I was with the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott MP in the department responsible for local government and regeneration."

Medway Council leader Rodney Chambers earlier expressed his sadness at the loss of someone who had commanded great respect in Kent, but also across the UK.

Click the audio link above to hear an excerpt from the interview

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 farming 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."