Baroness Thatcher died this morning aged 87 following a stroke, it was announced today.

The former prime minister, who had suffered bouts of illness for many years, was said to have died peacefully.

Her spokesman, Lord Bell, said: "It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother, Baroness Thatcher, died peacefully following a stroke this morning.

"A further statement will be made later."

In a statement on the Downing Street Twitter feed, David Cameron said: "It was

with great sadness that l learned of Lady Thatcher's death. We've lost a great

leader, a great Prime Minister and a great Briton."