Millions across Britain yesterday mourned the loss of Tony Benn, supreme campaigner for socialism and democracy.

He died peacefully at home at the age of 88 surrounded by his loving family.

Labour movement activists, trade unionists, peace campaigners and progressive people throughout the land paid heartfelt tributes to the lion-hearted battler for the people.

Many found the grief almost unbearable as Tony Benn's death came just three days after the loss of great workers' champion and rail union RMT leader Bob Crow.

RMT assistant general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our world has been rocked to its core by the loss in the same week of Bob Crow and his close personal friend Tony Benn.

"But we draw strength from the knowledge that the only tribute both men would have wanted from us is a renewal of the fight for socialism and economic and social justice."

Grass-roots activists will carry forward Mr Benn's torch today at the People's Assembly - the anti-austerity movement he championed.

Mr Benn served as an MP for 50 years, and famously retired from the House of Commons in 2001 "to devote more time to politics."

Starting off on the right of the Labour Party, he moved steadily to the left and developed a deep understanding of the need to combine parliamentary politics with struggle in the streets and workplaces.

He served as president of the Stop the War Coalition, and campaigned tirelessly for trade union rights, public ownership and to free Britain from the shackles of the EU.

In just one week the Star has lost two of its most avid readers - Mr Benn and Mr Crow.

Both men were never without a copy of their beloved paper.

Even in death, Mr Benn managed to add another notch to his notable record in the history books. He died on exactly the same date as Karl Marx - 101 years later.

John McDonnell, chair of the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs, said: "Tony Benn was the articulate advocate of socialism who inspired my generation.

"He gave us all hope of a fair and equal society."

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband said Britain had lost "an iconic figure of our age."

Mr Benn would be "remembered as a champion of the powerless, a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician," declared Mr Miliband.

Former deputy Labour leader Margaret Beckett praised his "clarity of expression."

People who heard him speak up and down the country would never forget the experience.

"He opened peoples' eyes and he made them think."

Tributes to Mr Benn came from across the political spectrum, with leading Establishment figures conveniently forgetting the way the Tories, right-wing Labour and the media had for many years vilified Mr Benn.

PM David Cameron called him "a magnificent writer, speaker, diarist and campaigner, with a strong record of public and political service.

"There was never a dull moment listening to him, even when you disagreed with everything he said."