COUNCILLORS have paid tribute to a former colleague who has died at the age of 75.

Tommy Dodd represented Woodhouse Close, Bishop Auckland, on Wear Valley District Council until ill health forced his retirement.

Members will stand for two minutes' silence before the next meeting on Thursday.

Leader Olive Brown said yesterday: "Tommy was very committed to the people of Woodhouse Close and served the area loyally. He was one of our Labour Party stalwarts and a great character."

Councillor June Lee, secretary of the Labour Party's Woodhouse Close branch, said: "He was a good colleague and a good councillor."

Mr Dodd, of Howard Close, Bishop Auckland, leaves a widow Kathleen and sons Christopher, Joseph, Stephen and Gordon. A funeral service will be held in Woodhouse Close Church, at 1.45pm today.