By-election to replace veteran MP

A by-election is to be held next month to decide who will replace veteran Labour politician Gwyneth Dunwoody following her death.

Mrs Dunwoody, who had been MP for Crewe and Nantwich since 1974, died earlier this month aged 77.

Geoff Hoon, Labour's chief whip, will call the by-election for 22 May in Parliament on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the veteran MP as "always her own person" and "fiercely independent".

Ms Dunwoody's son David said she died "in a gentle and calm way" on 17 April after being ill for about a week.