TRIBUTES have been paid to a former chairman of Salford Priors Parish Council who died suddenly last Sunday.

Doug Partridge, of Rush Ford, served on the parish council for 43 years from 1957 to 2000. He was also an Independent member of Stratford District Council from 1988 to 1996, acting as chairman in 1994.

A teacher at the former Bidford High School, Mr Partridge was also a governor at Dunnington School and trustee of Salford Priors Memorial Hall.

Kim James, present chairman of Salford Priors Parish Council, said Mr Partridge had been his mentor in his own early days in local government.

He said: "Doug was a very kind man and well respected, as is Mrs Partridge.

"He helped me a great deal when I was first elected to the council and I was very grateful for that.

"He died very suddenly as he walked out of church on Sunday. It was a great shock and he will be sadly missed."

The Rev Lynne Davies, who was preaching on the day Mr Partridge died, said: "He was a wonderful, man and worked so hard for the community. A gentleman who loved cricket and had a wonderful sense of humour."

Mr Partridge leaves a widow, Susan, and two children, John and Jane.

A funeral service was due to be held yesterday at St Matthew's Church, Salford Priors.