TRIBUTES have been paid to York Conservative councillor Bill Bennett who has died suddenly.

Coun Bill Bennett, 64, was the deputy leader of the Conservative Group on City of York Council, and before being elected to Heworth Without ward in May this year, served on the council in the 1970s.

Coun Bennett, pictured, of Boroughbridge Road, was an avid postcard collector and was helping at a fair in Bridlington on Saturday when he was taken ill and collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack.

Born and brought up in York, Coun Bennett worked at York Carriageworks before being made redundant and retraining as a chimney sweep, a job he had for 15 years before he retired.

His son, Andrew Bennett, said: "He is just greatly missed. He had a great deal more to give, but sadly that's the way it is."

Tory leader Ian Gillies, said: "It was with deep shock that I learned of the death of a respected councillor and friend.

"Bill Bennett was a lovely man, who saw his main role as a councillor in his Ward and the city as helping others in society less fortunate than ourselves. He embraced his role as a newly-elected Councillor with great enthusiasm, and his humour and passion will be sadly missed by his constituents, and Council colleagues."

Council leader Coun Steve Galloway, said: "I knew Bill for four decades. His death came as a major shock to me and his absence from the York political scene will leave a large hole.

"Bill was totally loyal and consistent. Even in the darkest days for his party he would put his name on the Council ballot paper knowing that he faced an uphill struggle. But he had strong views and was prepared to stand up for them. He deserved and gained respect for that approach.

"He was a colourful character. His national reputation as a postcard collector would have marked him out from the crowd even without his work for the local community. Although we did not always agree on policies, he was unfailingly friendly and showed a personal interest in other people. I and the rest of the council send our condolences to his family and friends.

Coun Bennett leaves a widow, Lesley, a son, Andrew, daughters, Charlotte, and Alison and five grandchildren.