TRIBUTES have been paid to a a judge who died as floods swept through Worcestershire.

Eric Dickinson, aged 68, who was killed when his car was swept away by floodwaters at Pershore on Monday, has been described as a man who always gave his time to other people Mr Dickinson was a county court judge for 23 years and a solicitor with Harrison Clark.

He leaves a widow Gill, sons William and Mark, daughter Emma and six grandchildren.

William, Mr Dickinson's eldest child, said: "He was a very popular man with a good sense of humour."

"He was well-known for being able to diffuse tense situations in court between opposite parties using humour and pathos while maintaining everyone's dignity.

"Away from his legal work, he never had any spare time because of his involvement in family, Rotary, the Church and other interests.

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A JUDGE who died in Worcestershire flood water has been described as a man who always gave his time to other people.

Eric Dickinson, aged 68, died when his car was swept away by flood waters near Pershore on Monday.

A county court judge for 23 years and a former solicitor with Harrison Clark, Worcester, he leaves a widow, Gill, sons William and Mark and daughter Emma and six grandchildren.

"He was a very popular man with a good sense of humour," said William, Mr Dickinson's eldest child.

"He was well known for the way in which he was able to diffuse tense situations in court between opposite parties using humour and pathos while maintaining everyone's dignity. Away from his legal work, he never had any spare time because of his involvement in family, Rotary, the Church and other interests. He always gave his time un-selfishly to other people.

Mark, his younger son, said: "Anyone who came into contact with him will remember him.

"He was very much loved, not just by us, but by a wide community of people.

"Everyone who knew him has been greatly affected by what has happened."

Mr Dickinson had always said he intended to work for as long as he could.

As well as being a member of Leigh Parish Council and a stalwart of St Andrew's Methodist Church, Worcester, he belonged to the Lychgate Players, an amateur dramatic group.

He loved classical music and was twice secretary of the Three Choirs Festival.

He was a former member of Worcester Lawyers' cricket team, had a keen interest in the English Civil War, the French Revolution and politics and was also heavily involved in the Rotary Club of Worcester Severn.

He had been a chairman of South Worcestershire Victim Support service.

Ernest Nock, chairman of the National Council of Victim Support, said: "We have a great deal to thank both Eric and Gillian for.

"They were on the managment committee for a number of years and subsequently active supporters.

"It is a great loss."

Worcester Crown and County Court manager Janet Lloyd said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear the terrible news of his death.

"He will be very sadly missed in a personal and professional capacity.

"Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this time."

Mr Dickinson's body was found, along with his car, under four-and-a-half metres of water downstream of a swollen ford at Pershore on Tuesday evening.

His widow had reported him missing on Monday after he called her from his mobile phone to tell her he was being dragged off the road by the water. A rescue team that included local police officers, search dogs, a police helicopter and South Wales Police underwater diving team temporarily stopped searching for Mr Dickinson and his Volvo V70 estate at 11pm on Monday, but began again at 8am on Tuesday morning.