Tributes have poured in for former long-serving MP Paul Channon, who has died after a long illness, aged 71.

Friends said Mr Channon, Tory MP for the Southend and Rochford areas between 1959 and 1997, would be sadly missed.

Sir Teddy Taylor, former MP for Rochford and Southend East, said Mr Channon was a "true gentleman" who fought hard to get extra money from the Goverment for his consituency.

He added: "He was delighted to be the MP for Southend West and he always made sure he represented the area extremely well.

"He was the one MP who was the perfect gentleman. I never heard him saying a harsh word about anyone."

Mr Channon, born into a life of privilege as Henry Paul Guinness Channon, was first elected MP for Southend West aged just 23.

He also served as a life peer under the title Lord Kelvedon.

The Eton and Oxford-educated politician had inheritied a multimillion-pound fortune from the Guinness empire and was known to dine with Mick Jagger, one of his neighbours on the Caribbean island of Mustique.

He held a number of portfolios during his career, including secretary of state for trade and industry.

David Amess, MP for Southend West, said he was "shocked and saddened" to hear of Mr Channon's death.

He added: "I got to know Paul extremely well as a colleague and friend. He campaigned for me when I represented Basildon and could not have been more supportive when I became the candidate for Southend West.

"He was in every sense an honourable Member of Parliament - kind, hardworking and compassionate. He had a wonderful sense of humour."

Mr Amess said the family had already gone through a lot of heartbreak after their daughter Olivia's death in 1986.