THE UK Independence Party’s leader, Nigel Farage, has described the death of Kidderminster county councillor Tony Baker as “a great loss”.

Mr Baker, 69, of St Cecilia Close, died yesterday of a suspected cardiac arrest just five weeks after being elected as Worcestershire county councillor for St Mary’s.

UKIP parliamentary spokesman Michael Wrench confirmed the news this morning and said members of the party’s Wyre Forest branch - of which Mr Baker was a founding member - were in “absolute shock”.

Mr Farage said: “I offer my sincerest condolences to Tony’s family and friends.

“It was only a few short weeks ago when I saw him last and he was so very obviously looking forward to the job of representing the people of St Mary’s. It is a great loss to the town and to UKIP.”

Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in from politicians across Wyre Forest and Worcestershire.

Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, Conservative councillor John Campion, said: “I am really shocked. This man was just starting to get to grips with his county council role and he seemed a positive local community champion and his sudden death is a sad loss.

“In the few times I had met him he had always been a very pleasant chap who had the interests of the area at heart. It is very sad and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

On twitter, Wyre Forest Liberal leader Fran Oborski, said: “Thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of county councillor Tony Baker. At times like this politics must be put aside.”

UKIP Redditch South division county councillor, Stuart Cross, said of his colleague: “Sad to hear of the death of my fellow UKIP councillor Tony Baker. Only just started to get to know him, he was very keen to make a difference #rip.”