Sandy West, the drummer from the 70s all-female rock group The Runaways, has died of lung cancer at just 47 years old.

Lead singer of the band Cherie Curry told the BBC: "It will never be the same for me to step up on stage because Sandy West was the best and I will miss her forever. I am overcome from the loss of my friend. I always told her we changed the world."

When the band broke up in 1979 West went on to perform as a drummer, guitarist and vocalist with The Sandy West band.

Her manager, Mara Fox, is hoping to publish her memoirs.