A FORMER council chairman who "always put people first" has died at the age of 80.

Gordon Yarranton, who previously served as chairman of Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council, passed away on Monday (April 10).

Paying tribute, former councillor Stephen Clee said: "Gordon was a loyal, honest and deeply rooted politician who always put people first.

"He will be sorely missed by politicians on all sides”.

Mr Yarranton was born on February 21, 1943, at Horse Hill Farm, Ribbesford, and started his education at the old Lax Lane School.

His father worked in the farming industry and the family moved around Worcestershire for work purposes often. He attended Menith Wood Village School before the family eventually moved again to Spencer Street in Kidderminster.

Mr Yarranton began his working career as a self-employed central heating engineer. He worked in Wyre Forest throughout his working life, until he retired in 1999.

He decided to get involved with the local Conservative Party in Bewdley and was persuaded to stand for election for Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council.

He was elected to Worcestershire County Council in 2005 for the Cookley, Wolverley & Wribbenhall ward which he served for 12 years.

This was closely followed by his election to Bewdley Town Council for eight years and Wyre Forest District Council for 12 years from 2006 to 2018. He also served on Kidderminster Foreign Parish Council and Cookley & Wolverley Parish Council.

During his political career, he represented Wyre Forest as chairman from 2010 to 2011 and was vice-chair of the planning committee for several years.

At Worcestershire County Council, he was chairman from 2012 to 2013 and he served on the county planning committee for many years.

Mr Yarranton is survived by his daughter Emily and his granddaughter Rosie.

The chief executive of Wyre Forest District Council, Ian Miller said: “The Council has learned of Gordon's passing with great sadness. He was well known in the community and was a dedicated ward councillor and served as chairman in my first full municipal year with the Council.

"I know councillors and staff would join me in expressing sympathy and deepest condolences to Gordon’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.”