LIBERAL Democrat leadership contender Tim Farron has said he is 'desperately saddened' by the sudden death of Charles Kennedy.

The former party leader was found dead at his home in Fort William yesterday. No cause of death has been given but police said it was not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Kennedy led his party from 1999 to 2006, lost his seat last month.

Mr Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale and a favourite to succeed Nick Clegg as party leader, said: “Charles was a friend, colleague and personal mentor. I am desperately saddened by news of his death this morning.

"His gentle good humour combined with real courage, enabled him to engage with people who might otherwise have had little interest in politics. and he gave voice to the views of millions as the only mainstream party leader to oppose the Iraq War.

"His loss will be sorely felt today. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock joined in the tributes.

 “Charles Kennedy was a skilled parliamentarian who also connected easily with ordinary people and his tragically early death will be keenly felt by his political allies and adversaries alike.

“My thoughts go to his family and close friends at this very sad time.”

County and district councillor Stan Collins, a former Lib Dem candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: "Charles and I worked together on party matters on various party committees.  None more so that during the lead up to the Iraq War when as a member of the Federal Executive, Policy and International Committees I had a close up view of him at work and gave some assistance.

"I have never seen better leadership than this, not just in the decision made but in the way that it was made.  Beset by contrary shrill or hysterical demands to support or oppose the war unthinkingly he stuck firmly to his demand for the evidence.  Only when he had seen the so-called evidence (in a one hour read at 6am) and found it sadly wanting did he decide for himself and lead his party to oppose the war.

"From time to time he was accused of being lazy, he was not; it was just that he could tell the difference between the spectacular and the important and concentrated on that which was important.  He saw no point in rushing out a statement on everything.  Charles made his voice heard loudly and clearly on those things which mattered and listened to with respect by his opponents as well as his friends.

"He was a good and kind man of vision and courage whose passing is a loss to his family, his friends, his party and this country."