Former Conservative Member of Parliament for Deal and Dover Lord Rees has died, aged 81.

As Peter Rees he represented the constituency from 1970 until 1987 and during his time in Parliament he served two years in Margaret Thatcher’s government as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

He was picked to fight the east Kent seat against Labour’s social security minister David Ennals, and was elected in a late swing to the Tories.

The MP had a variety of jobs within the government and when he stood down he made a successful name for himself in business.

He was introduced to the House of Lords as Baron Rees of Goytre in Gwent, Wales.

District council leader Cllr Paul Watkins paid tribute to Lord Rees and described him as shrewd and approachable.

He added: “He was the epitome of what a good member of parliament should be and represented his constituency without fear or favour.

“On a personal basis he was a very nice person and he visited his former constituency on numerous occasions.”