Liberal Democrat MP Patsy Calton has died following a long battle with cancer aged 56.

7.50.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 29th May 2005

The Cheadle MP presided over the most marginal seat in the UK until she was returned to Parliament on 5 May with a greatly increased majority.

She was last seen at Westminster on Tuesday when she arrived in a wheelchair to take her oath.

Party leader Charles Kennedy described Ms Calton as a "spirited and courageous" politician.

'Desperate illness'

He said: "I wish to extend my most profound sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the late Patsy Calton following her death.

"In particular all our thoughts are with her husband Clive and their children.

"Patsy was a spirited and courageous Member of Parliament, and nowhere was that spirit and commitment more evident than in the way she continued to represent Cheadle throughout the recurrence of her illness during the general election campaign, and most movingly when only last week she took her oath in the House of Commons.

"Despite her desperate illness, her determination shone through.

"Cheadle has lost a wonderful constituency MP and the Liberal Democrats have lost a fine representative of our cause."

Ms Calton won her seat with a majority of about 4,000 despite defeated Conservative MP Stephen Day trying to win it back.

She was unable to attend the count at Stockport Town Hall due to cancer treatment.