Former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock has described Poly Styrene's death as a "great loss".

Styrene, the singer with X Ray Spex, passed away on Monday (April 25) after a battle with cancer of the spine and breast. She was 53.

Styrene - real name  Marianne Elliot-Said - formed X Ray Spex after being inspired by seeing Sex Pistols perform live.

Matlock told BBC 6 Music: "I am still trying to collect my thoughts on the matter, but again it's someone in the rock scene that has died far too young, and it's a great loss."

Boy George is among the music stars who have also paid tribute to Styrene.

X Ray Spex released one album 'Germ Free Adolescents', in 1978, before their split.

(by Jason Gregory)