Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke. Her former spokesman, Tim Bell, announced the news Monday morning.

Former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher has died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke. Her former spokesman, Tim Bell, announced the news Monday morning.

Several hundred people gathered in south London on Monday evening to celebrate Thatcher's death with an impromptu street disco playing the soundtrack to her years in power, The Guardian daily reported.

Young and old descended on Brixton, a suburb which weathered two outbreaks of rioting during the Thatcher years. Many expressed jubilation that the leader they loved to hate was no more; others spoke of frustration that her legacy lived on.

To cheers of "Maggie Maggie Maggie, dead dead dead," posters of Thatcher were held aloft as reggae basslines pounded.

Clive Barger, a 62-year-old adult education tutor, said he had turned out to mark the passing of "one of the vilest abominations of social and economic history".

"It is a moment to remember. She embodied everything that was so elitist in terms of repressing people who had nothing. She presided over a class war," he said.

Not all those attending were old enough to remember Thatcher's time in power. Jed Miller, 21, clutching a bottle of cider, said: "She was a bit before my time, but family never had anything good to say about her."

Not all were there to celebrate. Student Ray Thornton, 28, said he was there to commemorate "victims" of Thatcherism. "It is a solemn day. It is important to remember that Thatcherism isn't dead and it is important that people get out on the street and not allow the government to whitewash what she did," he said.

In Glasgow, more than 300 people gathered in the city centre for an impromptu party, organized on Twitter.

Members of organizations including the Anti-Bedroom Tax Federation, the Communist party, the Socialist party, the Socialist Workers party and the International Socialist Group, were joined by members of the public in George Square.

A chorus of "so long, the witch is dead" erupted, along with chants of "Maggie Maggie Maggie, dead dead dead," from the gathering as champagne bottles were popped.

Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990. She was the first woman to hold the role.

She will not have a state funeral but will be accorded the same status as Princess Diana and the Queen Mother.

The ceremony, with full military honors, will take place at London's St Paul's Cathedral.