Bob Crow, the general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT), has died at the age of 52.

A statement on RMT's website confirmed Mr Crow, who lived in Woodford Green, died in the early hours of this morning.

It added: "The union's offices will be closed for the rest of the day and the union will make further announcements in due course."

Mr Crow was elected general secretary of the RMT in 2002.