Former politician Dennis Canavan has announced the death of his only daughter Ruth, the fourth child he has lost.

Canavan, who served both as a Labour MP and an independent MSP, made the announcement on Twitter.

He tweeted: "My only beloved daughter, Ruth, has passed away. She is now at peace with her dear brothers, Mark, Dennis and Paul. RIP."

The 74-year-old suffered his first loss in 1989 when his son, Paul, died of skin cancer aged 16.

Another son, Dennis Jnr, died in 2006  from a brain tumour.

Less than a year later in March 2007, his oldest son Mark died aged 41 after a battle with motor neuron disease.

It is not known how Ruth, aged 48, died.

Politicians from across the political divide, including the deputy first minister John Swinney, paid their condolences to the 74-year-old after he announced the news.