A PARISH council has held an emotional tribute to a former clerk.

Les Bishop, who was clerk to Warndon Parish Council for 20 years, died last week aged 85 following a short illness.

Council members meeting at the Lyppard Grange Community Centre on Monday evening (3rd) held a minute's silence in memory of a man who had served with 37 different council members and eight chairmen.

Current chair, Nick Fielden, told members Mr Bishop was instrumental in helping shape the future of Warndon Villages.

"When development of the Warndon Villages started in the early 1980s a few people got together and decided that the best way to have some control over local matters was to form a parish council," he said.

"Since inception of the parish council, Les worked selflessly on behalf of our residents and alongside elected councillors to shape the future of the Villages.

"He was a man of great integrity who had a huge amount of knowledge about the local area and was willing to share it with all of us.

"He was always willing to help members with any queries and was a great asset due to his insight into the history leading up to current issues.

"Les will be missed by everyone who knew him."

Mr Bishop retired from his parish council role in December 2011.

He was chairman of the Worcestershire Lifestyles charity since 2004 and a trustee for the past 15 years.

Mr Bishop was also a keen cricket coach, helping tutor current Worcestershire County Cricket Club captain Daryl Mitchell, and former county stars Tim Curtis and Stuart Lampitt, among others.

In 1986 he was awarded the Torch Trust Trophy for services to cricket and just two years ago won the English Cricket Board Coaches Association/Sky Sports award for outstanding contribution and services to cricket coaching.