TRIBUTES have been paid to a straight-talking former councillor who served his community with distinction and dedication for more than 30 years.

Long-serving town and district councillor Eric White, from Aycliffe Village, died peacefully in hospital on Monday, January 5, at the age of 92.

He had lived in the village since he was ten-years-old and represented its interests as an independent member of Great Aycliffe Town Council (Gatc), Darlington Rural District Council and Sedgefield Borough Council for decades.

Mr White, who was elected to Gatc in 1967, was also Mayor of the parish between 1982 and 1983 and served as a magistrate.

When he stood down from Gatc in May 1995, he was awarded the Honorary Freedom of Great Aycliffe, with a formal ceremony taking place in July of that year.

At the time, he was the only living freeman of the town.

The White House, a sheltered housing complex in Aycliffe Village, is also named in his honour.

Councillor Arun Chandran, who nominated Mr White for the Freedom award, said: “Eric was a personal friend and a man of great integrity and ability.

“He had a wicked sense of humour and served the people of Aycliffe Village and Great Aycliffe with distinction and dedication.

“I worked with him very closely for 13 years to get things done. Eric achieved many things but he never sought publicity or recognition for his actions. He will be greatly missed.”

Born on December 18 1922, Mr White moved to Aycliffe Village from Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, in the early 1930s.

He attended Bishop Auckland Grammar School and later trained as an electrician.

During the Second World War, Mr White served with the Royal Air Force in Egypt and Iraq from 1943 to 1945.

After this he turned his hand to a whole range of trades including building and farming and was happily self-employed for the remainder of his working life.

His wife, Pauline White, said her husband, a much-loved uncle and great-uncle, was happiest in his workshop.

“He made all sorts of things,” she said. “He was very practical and could do anything he set his mind to.”

She continued: “He was very honest and never told lies himself so he didn’t like people who did. He was a straight forward person who said what he meant and meant what he said.”

Mr White's funeral service will take place at St Andrew’s Church in Aycliffe Village on Tuesday, January 27, at 12.30pm.