TRIBUTES have been paid to a councillor who died last week.
Councillor Tony Groom, 61, died at his home in Hartlepool on Thursday only an hour after completing case work for his constituents. He had been a Labour councillor for the Owton ward for 14 years.
Carl Richardson, chairman of Hartlepool Borough Council, said he had known Coun Groom for 20 years.
He said: "He had no enemies at all, did a lot of work for charities and was very dedicated to his council work. This is a very sad loss for the council and the Labour Party."
Father-of five Coun Groom was elected to the Fens ward of Hartlepool in 1983 where he served for a number of years. In 1995 he was elected to the Owton ward.
He was also chairman of governors at Owton Manor Primary School. In a public statement the school said: "He was a constant source of support to parents, children and staff and will be missed by all."
The councillor, who was born in Hartlepool and worked at Hartlepool Steelworks and ICI before retiring, was also chairman of the south neighbourhood consultative forum.
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