TRIBUTES were paid last night to a highly respected community worker who has died suddenly.

Ian Fletcher was one of the best-known characters in Hurworth, near Darlington.

Mr Fletcher was the general manager of Hurworth Community Association, based at The Grange, which is the focal point of the village.

Last night, chairman of Hurworth Community Association, John Lawrie, said: "We have lost a great friend, as well as a manager.

"Ian made an immense contribution to village life and was a great character."

He was originally employed by the community association as a caretaker but was later promoted to general manager.

Among Mr Fletcher's achievements was the prom-inent role he had played over the past two years in organising a hugely successful proms event in Hurworth, entitled Picnic In The Park.

The event, organised jointly by Hurworth Community Association and the County Durham Federation of Women's Institutes, attracted a region-wide audience to see performances by international opera stars Ian Storey and Suzannah Clarke.

Discussions are to take place to decide how the village can formally recognise Mr Fletcher's work.

He had suffered a heart attack while playing golf in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. He was taken to hospital in York, then transferred to a hospital in Leeds, where he died yesterday.

He leaves a widow, Sandra. Funeral details have not yet been finalised.