TRIBUTES have been paid to a Worcestershire councillor who suddenly died last month - with Jim Parish described as a "passionate advocate" of the people.

As your Worcester News revealed last month Mr Parish, a former Mayor of Stourport, passed away on Wednesday, October 28.

The veteran councillor first entered politics back in 1997 and arrived at County Hall in 2001 after being elected to the Severn division.

The retired businessman, who ran an engineering business in Wednesbury, in the West Midlands, lost his seat in 2005 but returned in 2009.

He was a member of the Independent Community and Health Concern (ICHC) group, and also lead the county council's cohort of members not aligned to any of the mainstream parties.

In the first full council meeting since his death other politicians spoke of their sadness at his passing.

ICHC Councillor John Thomas said: "He was passionate about the town (of Stourport) and was determined to get the best for its residents.

"He had so many friends there and could often be seen walking about the High Street talking to residents.

"He also had many friends across all of the political parties."

Mr Parish was also a superb bowls player and represented both Worcestershire and England in the sport.

During the meeting tributes where also paid to Dan Wicksteed, a former county council chairman who died at the end of September.

He was first elected to the St Clement, Worcester ward in 1993 on the old Hereford and Worcester County Council and remained on the authority in its new form until 2005.

He was also the county council's first ever chairman back in 1998 following the local government re-organisation.

Councillor Adrian Hardman, the leader, said: "On behalf of the Conservative group we deeply regret the passing of both of these really quite prominent councillors on this council.

"Jim Parish I really got to know quite well, we had conversations almost exclusively about the staff, traffic, what we were looking to do in education - he was a tremendous advocate of the people who always listened very carefully to them."

He said Mr Wicksteed was a "tremendous influence" when he first arrived at County Hall.

During Thursday's meeting it also emerged that UKIP councillor Peter Bridle has suffered a stroke and is currently recovering in hospital.