KNUTSFORD’s leading political parties have paid tribute to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who died on Monday.

Baroness Thatcher, who was PM between 1979 and 1990, died peacefully after suffering a stroke while staying at the Ritz Hotel in central London.

She was Britain’s first female leader, and won three General Elections.

Her funeral will take place next Wednesday at St Paul’s Cathedral, following a procession from Westminster.

Mrs Thatcher visited Knutsford and Holmes Chapel in 1979 in the run-up to a by-election for the Knutsford seat that was won by Jock Bruce-Gardyne.

He was ousted from the seat in the boundary changes in 1983 and replaced in the new Tatton seat by Neil Hamilton.

On her visit to Knutsford, she spoke at the Conservative Club in support of Bruce-Gardyne, where the Knutsford Guardian reported her as saying: “I want a bumper victory to show the Government exactly what we think of the way it is running the country.”

On the same trip to Cheshire she also spent time visiting Fisons Pharmaceuticals, where we reported that she spent 90 minutes looking at the packaging lines and talking to workers.

The Guardian said: “She showed particular interest in the anti-asthma drug Intal, and said the sterile packing rooms were ‘like something out of James Bond’.

One worker presented her with a paper rosette which was not quite the right shade of blue. ‘It is lovely all the same,’ Mrs Thatcher said.

Chancellor George Osborne, MP for Tatton, told the Guardian the former PM had great faith in the country.

He said: “This is incredibly sad news. Margaret Thatcher’s faith in human freedom and optimism that Britain’s best days lay ahead overcame all obstacles.

“Her determination is our generation’s inspiration.”

Dominic Brown, chairman of Tatton Labour Party, said: “I would like to pass on my condolences to the family and friends of Margaret Thatcher.

“Political differences aside, she was a towering political figure who had a huge effect on the world around her and I certainly became engrossed in politics during her time as Prime Minister.

“My belief is that her greatest achievement was to become the first female Prime Minister this country has ever had, despite famously saying she did not think it would happen in her lifetime.

“Her health condition has been widely reported, and it must have been a very difficult time for her and her family.”