Tony Benn brought hope to everything he touched, declared green campaigner and former Labour MP Alan Simpson.

"He could lift a room just by walking into it. When he left, people would be flying with the belief that maybe we really were as good as he said we might be.

"He was the only person I know who could waltz you through 2,000 years of history and leave you feeling he was present at all the events he had touched on."

Mr Simpson added: "It is sad to lose such a friend, mentor and source of inspiration, but Tony would be the first to point out that the dreams live on - as long as there are people who have the courage to dream them."

Stop the War chairman Jeremy Corbyn MP paid tribute to the peace campaigner's work as former president of the coalition.

"It was a pleasure and an honour to work with him on causes ranging from the miners' strike to opposition to the disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Mr Corbyn.

"We have his diaries, we have his books, we have wonderful memories, and above all we have an inspiration that we can follow."

Miners' MP Ian Lavery recalled Mr Benn's great work in support of the miners during the 1984-85 strike, when he had travelled the length and breadth of Britain addressing meetings.

Mr Lavery noted with emotion that Mr Benn's death had occurred almost exactly on the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the great miners' strike.

"He was a tower of a man, a socialist who was well respected in Britain and across the world.

"As an orator and campaigner, he was someone you would always want on your side."

Former Labour leadership candidate Diane Abbott said she admired "so many things" about Mr Benn.

"Unwavering principles, always open to new ideas, stellar political speaker but unfailingly courteous," she added.

Former Cabinet minister Peter Hain said: "Tony Benn was a giant of socialism who encouraged me to join Labour in 1977."

He was "a wonderful inspirational speaker and person" who would be deeply missed.