Tributes have been made to a former North East councillor and mayor following his death at the age of 82.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council announced today (July 14) the tragic death of former councillor Bill Noble, aged 82.

Bill served as a councillor in the Hardwick and Salters Lane ward for 16 years from 1995 until 2011 and sat on numerous committees, including as vice-chairman of the Executive Scrutiny Committee.

Read more: Ancient Roman ring found in Binchester, County Durham

He also served as Mayor of the Borough in 2007/2008 and was awarded honorary alderman status in 2015.

Bill's funeral will take place at 10am on Wednesday, July 26 at the Maplewood Chapel, Stockton Crematorium.

The current Mayor of Stockton-on-Tees, Councillor Jim Beall, will be in attendance at the funeral. He said: "The thoughts of everyone at the Council are with Bill's family at this very sad time."

Paying tribute to his former colleague, councillor Bob Cook, leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: "Bill always represented the people of his ward passionately and with the utmost dedication.

"The awarding of his Honorary Alderman status was a fitting tribute to the stellar contribution he made over a number of years."