The chair of English Heritage, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, has died aged 66 following a long battle with cancer.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart took up the role last year, and made what has been described as a "great contribution" to the organisation.

Chief executive of English Heritage, Simon Thurley, said: "Sandy battled hard for us in last year's spending review and secured a reversal of our real-term cash decline for the first time in 10 years.

"He also achieved a major breakthrough in our plans for Stonehenge, convincing ministers that a new, affordable scheme was worth government backing."

In addition to his role at English Heritage, Lord Bruce-Lockhart had previously held the role of chair of the Local Government Association, as well as the Conservative leader of Kent County Council.