SIR David Crausby led tributes in Bolton to Dame Tessa Jowell, who died on Saturday night.

Dame Tessa, aged 70, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour in May last year. She suffered a haemorrhage on Friday.

Current and former Bolton politicians spoke of their sadness at hearing the news.

Dame Tessa played a major role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London when she served as culture secretary.

Sir David, who is MP for Bolton North, said: “Tessa was already a Member of Parliament when I was first elected in 1997 and she was always a friendly caring person who we will all miss. She did a fantastic job in delivering the Olympics to Britain against the odds. On a personal note she was very helpful and supportive to meet when I campaigned to protect the Bromley Cross War Memorial , delivering the listed status for the memorial and securing its future Tessa was an extremely positive person and will be missed by us all.”

Brian Iddon, who served as MP for Bolton South East, said: “’I was very sad to hear that Tessa Jowell had died and my condolences go to her family and friends. She was determined to fight campaigns right to the end of her life and fought the one on cancer bravely, hopefully for the benefit of many other people.

“ Although she was a London-centric MP, Tessa always took the trouble to talk to all her Labour MP colleagues to find out what was going on outside London. I remember the occasion when she took me out to dinner in the Members’ Dining Room in the Houses of Parliament in 2004 when I was refusing to vote for The Higher Education Bill, which Education Secretary Charles Clarke was trying to put through Parliament. It increased university student fees and she was trying, unsuccessfully I hasten to add, to try to get me to support an increase in the fees. I think Tony Blair thought her huge charm would work on me.

“It was impossible to dislike Tessa. She always had a smile on her face and never raised he voice in my presence.

“She will be best remembered for her huge contribution as SoS for Culture, Media and Sport and as Minister for the Olympic Games, but she had other successes too.”

Prime Minister Theresa May described Dame Tessa as “inspirational”.

She tweeted: “The dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa Jowell confronted her illness was inspirational.

“My sympathies to her loving family - Dame Tessa’s campaigning on brain cancer research is a lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service.”