A PEACE campaigner who twice ran against former Prime Minister Tony Blair in County Durham has died.

Helen John fought for the Sedgefield seat in 2001 and 2005 - when she continued her election battle behind bars - and died at a care home in Bradford on Sunday.

Ms John, believed to be 79, served as vice chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and was a founder of the Greenham Common and Menwith Hill protests.

Paying tribute, CND general secretary, Kate Hudson, said: “It is hard to put into words the debt that the peace movement owes to Helen, a remarkable woman who put the cause of peace front and centre in her life, with an incomparable force – but also with a remarkable compassion and humanity.

“We remain inspired by her and will work to fulfil our shared goals.”