Sad news this morning as it is reported that former Falmouth Labour MP Candy Atherton has died overnight at the age of 62.

Flags at County Hall have been lowered to half mast and people from across the political spectrum have given tributes to Mrs Atherton, a prominent voice in Cornish politics.

Mrs Atherton was elected to Cornwall Council in the 2013 local elections, representing the Falmouth Smithick division.

In 2014 she was one of the main drivers behind the passing of article 4 in Falmouth which required landlords planning to convert a property into a house of multiple occupancy to get planning permission.

Fellow Falmouth Town Councillor and Labour Party member Jude Robinson, who was Candy’s election agent from 1995 and a close friend, said: “Candy was an extraordinary and remarkable woman who achieved so much for Cornwall and for Falmouth.  She got a lot of flak for being big, being Labour and being a woman but she never let the hurtful stuff or her severe illness stop her. She was the kindest, most fun friend you could imagine and devoted to her husband and her mother Pam. We have all lost a champion.”

Tributes have also poured in on social media, with Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson tweeting: "Very sad to read that Candy Atherton has died. She was very kind to me when I was first elected. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones."

Town councillor Anna Gillett wrote: "I am shocked to wake to the news of Candy Atherton's death. My thoughts are with her husband Brod and her close friends and family."

From Julia Goldsworthy, the Liberal Democrat who won the seat from Ms Atherton in 2005: 


And Adam Paynter, leader of Cornwall Council: 

Cornwall Council chairman Mary May said: “I am shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Councillor Candy Atherton. She was a dedicated, committed and passionate public servant for Cornwall. 

"She always put people first - as an MP she argued with the then-Labour government for adequate funding for Cornwall; she was a driving force behind the Surestart project to give our children the very best start and during her time as a Cornwall Councillor she spoke up for vulnerable people at the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Brod and her family as they come to terms with their tragic loss."

Councillor Tim Dwelly, the Labour group leader, added: “Councillor Candy Atherton’s passing is a huge shock to people. Candy was a remarkable woman and arguably the leading politician in Cornwall’s recent past. A staunch advocate for Cornwall, she was instrumental in lobbying Tony Blair’s government to secure over £2billion in investment for Cornwall. Many of the things we take for granted today – fibre broadband, the university, new roads, airports and more – have her imprint. She loved Falmouth and worked her socks off for the town. She never stopped championing for her constituents and put a huge amount of energy into everything she did.

"She will be deeply missed by us all. I would like to pass my sincerest condolences to her husband Brod, her friends and family at this very difficult time.”

Candy was a tireless social campaigner and was a prominent in local politics right up until her death.

She was elected as the Labour MP for Falmouth and Camborne in 1997 serving until 2005.

She was married to fellow town councillor Broderick Ross.