Tributes were paid to right-to-die campaigner Debbie Purdy yesterday, who has died after suffering with primary progressive multiple sclerosis for nearly 20 years.

Ms Purdy, from Bradford, died on December 23 at a Marie Curie Hospice in her home city after beginning to refuse food a year ago.

She fought a lengthy and ultimately successful campaign which, in 2009, led to a House of Lords ruling which resulted in new government guidelines on assisted suicide being drawn up.

In a final interview with BBC Yorkshire, the 51-year-old revealed the reasons behind her decision.

During the 30-minute documentary she said: “It’s not a matter of wanting to end my life, it’s a matter of not wanting my life to be this.”

Ms Purdy’s husband, the Cuban-born violinist and jazz musician Omar Puente, paid tribute describing her as a “valued campaigner and friend.”

He thanked staff at the Marie Curie centre for affording her the dignity and peace she required.