MRS Margaret McLeish, wife of Central Fife MP and Shadow Transport

Spokesman Henry McLeish, has died from pancreatic cancer. She was 47.

Her death at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital came barely a month after

her illness was first diagnosed.

In common with her husband, she was born and brought up in Methil.

They were childhood sweethearts at Buckhaven High School, and married in

1968, when Mr McLeish was a professional footballer with East Fife.

Mrs McLeish was immensely supportive of her husband as he embarked on

a career in politics, first as a district councillor, then as leader of

Fife Regional Council, and finally as the MP for Central Fife in 1987.

The couple have two children, Niall, 20, and Clare, 18.