AS the family of much-loved MP Jamie Cann come to terms with their loss, a tiny ray of hope has helped to lift their grief today.The popular MP died on Monday, but yesterday afternoon his son and daughter-in-law had happier news for the family.

AS the family of much-loved MP Jamie Cann come to terms with their loss, a tiny ray of hope has helped to lift their grief today.

The popular MP died on Monday, but yesterday afternoon his son and daughter-in-law had happier news for the family.

Andrew and Saraid Cann became the proud parents of Ethan James, who weighed in at seven pounds, two ounces at 5.20pm

"Saraid and Ethan are fine," Andrew said today. "It's been a very traumatic week for the family, but everyone is very happy about Ethan.

"But to be honest the family doesn't really feel like celebrating."

The family had planned to take Jamie's first grandchild to see him in hospital at Cambridge, but tragically he died just before Ethan arrived.

The baby's arrival has given the family a new focus as they come to terms with Jamie's death.

"Ethan's birth has given the whole family a big lift after all the trauma," said Andrew.

He's now having to master new skills … like working out how a baby car seat works.

The birth has also given a boost to Jamie's widow, Rosie, who visited Saraid and Ethan in Ipswich Hospital shortly after the birth.

"He's a cute, lovely little baby," Rosie said today.

Meanwhile, speedway fans paid tribute to the man who helped save their sport in Ipswich with a minute's silence before the match against Coventry.

The town's MP Jamie Cann helped spearhead the Evening Star's Save Our Speedway campaign when it looked as if the sport would fold in the winter of 1995-96.

Tributes to the popular MP, who died on Monday, have also been coming in to the Star's office – some from people who remember his work for them on a specific issue, others from those who will miss his presence in the town.

Kevan Gooding said he had only written to Mr Cann once, but it had led to action.

"My only contact with Jamie Cann left me with a lasting impression of someone who really was committed to listening to local people with real concerns," he said.

There was also a message from Suffolk firefighters' representative Adrian Mayhew.

"Princes Street Branch of The Fire Brigades Union would like to place on record our sincere condolences over the untimely death of Jamie.

"He was always fighting from the front where local issues where concerned, and supported the fire brigade union on many campaigns including the pay formula dispute of 1993.

"He will be greatly missed."

And there was a simple message from Mr and Mrs M.L.Page, of Blake Road, in Ipswich: "I would just like to pay my respects to Jamie's wife Rosie and family of his sudden death, a great loss to Ipswich to which he was a man in his own right."

East Anglian Labour Whip Angela Smith is arranging for other Labour MPs in the region to take on Jamie's workload until a new MP is elected for the town.

Anyone with a constituency problem should contact the Ipswich constituency office or their local councillor, and if the problem needs a parliamentary intervention the local party will contact Mrs Smith.

nIf you want to pay your own tribute to the town's popular MP, visit the special page on our website at www.eveningstar.co.uk.