Former Cornish MP Candy Atherton has died, it has been announced. She was 62.

She was elected as the Labour MP for Falmouth and Camborne in 1997, and held the seat with an increased majority in 2001, before being defeated by Liberal Democrat Julia Goldsworthy in 2005.

In 2013 Candy returned to front-line politics, becoming the Cornwall councillor for the Falmouth Smithick division. She held the seat at this year’s elections in May.

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.’