Tributes have been paid to a former Conseravtive councillor.

George Ernest Griffiths, of Waverley Road, Accrington, died last Wednesday (February 3), at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 76.

Mr Griffiths was born in Salford and after leaving school, did an apprenticeship in joinery.

During his National Service, he served in the Intelligence Corps in Malaysia before joining the police force.

He was a policeman for 30 years, reaching the rank of Sergeant at Accrington Police Station, having moved to the area in around 1969.

He retired from the force in the early 1980s and then worked in Victim Support, based on St James Street, Accrington for about 10 years, in which he was very active.

He served on the council, representing St Oswald's Ward between 1999 and 2004.

During this time, among other things, he was chairman of the Police Consultation Panel and was a member of the Judicial Panels for housing and council tax benefit appeals and licensing and traffic orders.

His son Mark said: "He was larger than life, very outspoken and a bit of a stand-up comedian.

"He had a real sense of humour and endless funny stories to tell.

Everyone says they will miss his stories.

"He was a real people person and he liked a drink, although recently he didn't as much. He used to go in the Dog Inn in Belthorn every Friday evening for years and he even had his own spot there.

"One of his main interests was walking dogs. He was a dog handler for a few years when he was in the police and he used to keep Alsatians.

"He had a dog of his own, Cuba, but when she died he used to borrow other people's to walk them."

He added: "When he worked in victim support he went around the country to promote it. He loved meeting people and socialising with them.

"He was always interested in politics and was very good at getting things done. He was very respected for that. If there were any problems, he would be out trying to sort them out.

In his youth, Mr Griffiths was a good boxer, and boxed for the Army and police as well as for Salford Club. He also liked to play snooker.

He was a governor at Belthorn Primary School and of Age Concern and regularly supported charities including the Lancashire Air Ambulance, Only Foals and Horses and Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "We were very saddened to hear about the death of George Griffiths.

"He was a great character and a good source of fun and will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him."

As well as Mark, he leaves his wife Marjorie, daughter Gail and grandchildren Dean, Jordan, Nathan, Paige, Robson and Lennon.

His funeral was on Wednesday (February 10), when the Rev Sarah Moores conducted a service at St James' Church, Lower Darwen, followed by burial at Belthorn Cemetery.

Donations to Only Foals and Horses.

Funeral director: Darwen Funeral Services.