Tributes have been paid to an Honorary Alderman and former Hyndburn council chief who has passed away.

Peter Clarke served as a Conservative councillor in the Overton Ward in Great Harwood for 14 years between 1998 and 2012.

He was also deputy leader of Hyndburn council from 2007 to 2011 and a cabinet member for the environment from 2003 to 2011.

The former car mechanic and Delph Road garage owner, of Ash Lane, passed away on Tuesday, August 4 after a battle with cancer.

Former council leader and Peter Britcliffe said he will be ‘very sadly missed’.

He added: “This is sad news indeed. Peter was a cheerful chappie who was liked and respected by all his colleagues on the council.

"He did a great job as the cabinet portfolio holder and introduced many of the recycling practices we still follow today.”

Coun Britcliffe said Mr Clarke was also ‘very honoured’ to become a Honorary Alderman earlier this year and it was ‘thoroughly deserved’.

He added: “His family have lost a father and grandfather, we have lost a great ally of the Conservative Party in Hyndburn and the people of Great Harwood have lost someone who cared passionately about the town.”

Conservative group leader Tony Dobson said he ‘was a character’ and a ‘well liked and well loved colleague’.

He said: “He was very passionate about Great Harwood and was always so cheerful and positive. It’s a real shame and our hearts and thoughts go out to his family.”

Former Great Harwood councillor Lynn Wilson said he had a ‘gleeful sense of humour’ and will be ‘really missed’.

She said: “Whenever I was with him, no matter how much pressure we were under, we always ended up laughing as he always had a joke or funny story to tell. He didn’t take life seriously.

“He was a very honest councillor and was dedicated to Great Harwood and I will really miss him.”

Council leader Miles Parkinson said Mr Clarke was a ‘major contributor’ to the council and the borough.

He said: “It’s deeply upsetting. He was such a nice person on the council and made decisions for the improvements of Hyndburn.

"It’s a very sad loss and our thoughts go out to his family.”