Jade Goody’s MP, Eleanor Laing, says Jade has left a valuable and lasting legacy.

The MP for Epping Forest, where Jade Goody lived, said,

“It is terribly sad that Jade Goody has died. She was so young.

I have been following the stories in the press about the brave way in which Jade coped with her illness, ever since the original problem was not properly diagnosed.

Her courage and fortitude have been remarkable and she is rightly held in great admiration by millions of people.

As the mother of a little boy myself, I understand only too well that her sons were her first priority and she did a magnificent job in making sure they would be provided for in future.

The publicity that she generated about the need for girls to take cervical screening seriously will have a real and important effect. Her actions will save many, many lives in the future. I realise that that might not be of much comfort to her family right now – but it will be a lasting legacy of great importance.”

Mrs Laing encouraged all young women to take the danger of cervical cancer seriously. www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk . An early check could save your life.