Former Labour MP Ronnie Campbell dies aged 80

Mr Campbell, pictured here in Blyth Valley's market square in 2019, served as an MP for more than three decades

A former Labour MP who held the Blyth Valley seat for more than 30 years has died at the age of 80.

Born in Tynemouth, Ronnie Campbell left school at the age of 14 to become a coal miner.

He went on to become an official of the National Union of Mineworkers, before entering Parliament in 1987.

Sir Keir Starmer led the tributes to Mr Campbell and offered his condolences to his loved ones.

Mr Campbell left school at 14

'Dedicated servant'

Labour leader Sir Keir tweeted: "I'm sad to hear about the passing of Ronnie Campbell.

"Ronnie was a dedicated servant to the people of Blyth Valley and an impressive campaigner."

Mr Campbell spent three decades as a miner and trade union activist before entering Parliament.

Mr Campbell following an election victory

He was first elected to the Blyth district council in 1969 and became the local mining union chairman in 1982 when working on the coalface at Bates Colliery, leading picket lines in the 1984-85 miners' strike.

After his pit closed, he was selected as the Labour candidate for the Blyth Valley.

He was vocal about the decline of his area after the demise of mining.

Mr Campbell alongside former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2017

Mr Campbell retired in 2019, and underwent heart surgery in 2020 after suffering stomach cancer some years earlier.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "So sorry to learn about Ronnie's death.

"Throughout all his battles with his health, he never seemed to lose his good humour or his dedication to speaking up for people at the sharp end.

"Sending condolences to his family and loved ones."

North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said: "Ronnie Campbell was a good man and a good friend.

"He was exactly what's missing in modern politics, someone rooted in his area who stuck to his principles."