Tributes have been paid to Hyndburn councillor John Griffiths, who has died.
Councillor Griffiths was the 'elder statesman' of the Conservative group and had served as a ward councillor in Baxenden since 1999. He was also chairman of the council's planning committee.
Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "News of John's death came very suddenly and it's shocked and saddened all of us. John was the elder statesman of the group and his contribution will be missed enormously as a whole.
"John was a great character and a very intelligent man. He was a vastly experienced chairman of the planning committee and most recently chair of the controversial windfarm application in Oswaldtwistle. He was also a former finance spokesman and took over finances at a difficult time when we were £2m in red.
"He will be missed by us all and most of all by the people of Baxenden he represented so well. He was a gentle person but very determined as well. Our thoughts go to his family at this sad time."
Leader of the opposition Councillor Miles Parkinson was a colleague with Councillor Griffiths on the planning committee.
He said: "It's very sad news and our thoughts go with the family and his wife at this time. John was a great ambassador for Baxenden and so well liked throughout the council for his cordiality and the respect he gave to everyone. John was an extremely good chairman - even on controversial planning applications and wasn't afraid to speak his mind on issues such as Hilltop or shy away from awkward decisions involving his own ward."
Council business has temporarily been suspended as a mark of respect, including the postponement of Tuesday's scheduled full council meeting.
