SOUTHEND West MP, Sir David Amess, has paid tribute to the late Dr Zaidi, who sadly died from a suspected case of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

>> Beloved Leigh GP dies after suffering "textbook" coronavirus symptoms

In a video he posted on Twitter, Sir David Amess, said: "I've just heard the devastating news about the death of Dr Zaidi.

"My heart goes out to his widow and his children. I regarded him as a dear friend, not just a friend to me but a friend to so many people who live in Southend.

"He worked tirelessly for nearly 50 years, saving the lives of so many people, and supporting them with their many and various health difficulties.

"His loss is a devastating blow for his family, for the area in which we live, for the country.

"We will all miss him so much, and I extend my deepest sympathy to his widow and his children."

The 76-year-old GP worked at the Eastwood Group Practice, in Leigh.

He passed away within 24 hours of being taken into intensive care, at Southend Hospital, and would be the first doctor in the UK to die after contracting COVID-19, if test results come back positive.