A VETERAN North Yorkshire councillor has died, just months before he was due to stand down after 40 years' service.

Tributes were paid yesterday to Cllr Michael Heseltine, who died on Friday, aged 78.

Colleague Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "Michael was a hugely respected member of the county council and the communities he represented and always served his communities to the best of his ability.

“His background as a teacher meant he spent his working life helping children and he carried that on into his public life, where he wanted to continue to help people.

“He was a senior member of the county council. We knew we were going to miss him when he stepped down in May. Now we will miss him all the more.

"He was a good friend to many of us, especially new members. His death now is particularly poignant when the dualling of the A66, which he championed for years, has finally been announced.”

Cllr Heseltine was born and brought up in Redcar and taught for many years at Scorton Grammar School. He also served on Richmondshire District Council from 1991 to 2011.