TRIBUTES have been paid to a "passionate" parish councillor who has been described as being dedicated to making a difference.

Paul Walters, chairman of St Peter’s Parish Council, died "suddenly and unexpectedly" at his home.

Mr Walters has been described by many as a "passionate" and "dedicated" councillor who went above and beyond for St Peters.

John Renshaw, vice chairman of St Peter’s Parish Council, said: "It is a big loss for the parish council and St Peter's.

"We were very supportive of his fellow councillors and was dedicated to making a difference. 

"He had this energy about him that was infectious to the people he was around."

Mr Walters was first elected to St Peter's in 2019 and later progressed up the councillor ranks until he was given the title of chairman in May 2023.

He helped run the Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings as well as host various events like the St Peter's Parish Festival and take part in community activities like litter picks.

Councillor Elena Round, Worcester City Councillor for St Peter's Ward, said: "It was a shock and I am deeply saddened to hear about Paul's passing. 

"He was a great advocate for St Peter's and will be greatly missed by colleagues and by the parish council.

"I will miss working with him.

"Paul was very passionate about St Peter's and always dedicated to the role of parish councillor.

"He was a lovely, lovely man." 

A spokesperson for St Peter's Parish Council said it was "deeply saddened" by the news in a statement last night (Sunday).

It read: "St. Peter’s Parish Council is deeply saddened to have to inform residents that our chairman, Cllr Paul Walters, has died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home.

"Paul was first elected to the Council in 2019 after retiring from a career in human resources. He took on the local policing portfolio and chaired our local PACT meetings.

"He subsequently became vice chairman of the council in 2022 and then chairman in May 2023.

"He was very committed to St. Peter’s and the work of the council, and in this last week alone, he attended two Newslink editorial meetings and participated in the regular Community Litterpick run by the Friends of the Parks, amongst a host of other activities.

"Fuller tributes will be paid to Paul at the forthcoming meeting of the Council on 8th February.

"In the meantime, we extend our condolences to his family. We shall miss him."

Mr Walters has lived in Worcester for nearly 35 years after moving from Shrewsbury.