ERNIE Holder, the mayor of Upton-upon-Severn has died suddenly while on holiday.

Mr Holder, aged 74, is believed to have suffered a heart attack while out on his boat off the coast of South Wales last Saturday (August 11).

Fellow councillors and friends were quick to pay tribute to the popular mayor.

Mary Wilkinson, who now serves on Malvern Hills district council, was mayor of Upton when Coun Holder held the post of deputy mayor. She has been a close friend to Coun Holder and his wife Helen for many years.

"He was a perfect English gentleman," she said, "And I mean that as two words gentle, man.

"His loyalty, warmth and friendship were second to none, and Upton will sadly miss him.

"He took his duties as a mayor very, very seriously and he added a great deal to the office.

"He was a tower of strength when I was mayor and he was deputy.

"I shall miss him greatly."

Alan Douglas, vice-captain of the Castaways Cruising Club, of which Coun Holder was founding member and captain, added: "He will leave a void on the river that will never be filled.

"He has left a lot of friends. All the flags along the river and in the town are at half mast."

Coun Holder had been a member of the town council since 1998.

Before then he had served on the district council in Walsall. He quickly became deputy mayor and was elected mayor in 2000.

Together with his wife he attended many functions in Upton, and represented the town at civic functions further afield.

Coun Holder is survived by his wife and son Richard. Another son, Mark, died of leukaemia five years ago.

There will be a private cremation in Worcester at 11am on Tuesday, August 21, followed by a service of thanksgiving for Coun Holder's life at noon. That will take place in the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, and refreshments will then be served in the Memorial Hall.