Tributes are paid to Ashok Kumar

Dr Ashok Kumar was found dead in his home

Tributes have been paid to the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Dr Ashok Kumar.

The 53-year-old was found dead at his home in Marton at 1230 on Monday 15 March.

His Labour colleague and MP for Middlesbrough Sir Stuart Bell said Dr Kumar left behind an "untarnished reputation."

Dr Kumar had represented his Teesside constituency since the 1997 General Election.

He'd briefly won the seat, which was then called Langbaurgh, at a by-election in 1991 before losing it in 1992.

Sir Stuart Bell said: "He has been for many years a fine parliamentarian and good constituency MP.

"He built up his parliamentary majority and had every expectation of being returned to the House at the forthcoming election.He will be mourned by his many friends and colleagues."

Before his election to parliament Dr Kumar worked as a research scientist at British Steel on Teesside. And up until his death he had been closely involved with the campaign to stop the mothballing of the Corus plant.

George Dunning, the Labour leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, told BBC Tees he was absolutely devastated to hear of Dr Kumar's death.

Dr Kumar was first elected to parliament at the Langbaurgh by-election in 1991

"I walked many a street with Ashok Kumar in Marton, Hemlington and in East Cleveland as well. He always struck me as being as fit as a lop.

"I've known Ashok for over twenty years now, from the steel industry. He worked at the Grangetown labs.

"He'll be sadly missed not just by his colleagues in the Labour Party but I'm sure by his former colleagues in the steel industry."

Mr Dunning described Ashok Kumar as a "kind considerate man."

"He always took extra time to talk to people on their doorsteps, taking down their issues and trying to resolve their problems," he said.

"As a constituency MP I don't think anyone could better Ashok. He would go that extra mile for people."

The Conservative candidate for Dr Kumar's Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland seat Paul Bristow said he was "shocked."

"He fought passionately for the interests of Teesside and his constituents and he will be remembered as a fine MP with strong values and beliefs," he said.

"Ashok will be sorely missed and I send my sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Stockton North MP Frank Cook said Dr Kumar was a "tremendous fighter"

Frank Cook, the Labour MP for Stockton North said Dr Kumar was a "tremendous fighter."

"His expertise as a research scientist meant that he was able to make a particularly important contribution in Parliament on issues affecting the chemical industry and, of course, the battle to save the steel industry...a campaign he maintained to the last," he said.

"We could, on occasions, have our differences yet still retain a strong relationship and a shared determination to fight for Teesside and its communities."