Bob Blizzard: Former Waveney MP dies aged 71

The former Labour MP Bob Blizzard has died at the age of 71.

Mr Blizzard, who was born in Bury St Edmunds, served as MP for Waveney in Suffolk from 1997 until he lost the seat in 2010.

He started his political career as a councillor for Waveney District Council, where he was leader for six years.

A jazz enthusiast, he founded the Lowestoft Jazz Weekend and supported many other local projects in the town.

He was a patron of Lowestoft Town Football Club and a director of the Seagull Theatre in the coastal town.

While a serving MP he played a role in securing funding for the Orbis Energy Centre in Lowestoft and campaigned for a third water crossing in the town, but that was not approved until 2015 and work on it is now well under way.

Following his narrow in the 2010 election Mr Blizzard stood again as a candidate in 2015, but was unable to retake the seat from Conservative MP Peter Aldous.

Posting a message on Twitter, Mr Aldous said: "It's terribly sad to learn of Bob Blizzard's passing.

"He was a formidable political opponent, a man who held passionate and strong beliefs and was a staunch advocate for Waveney.

"My condolences are with his family and loved ones."