TRIBUTES have been paid to an 'honourable' councillor who has died.

Ron Choppen was a Tory Rayleigh Town Council and Rochford District Council.

He died last weekend.

A spokesman for Rayleigh Town Council said: "Ron was a much loved and respected member of the Wheatley Ward Conservative Committee and the Rayleigh and Wickford Conservative Association and had represented for many years Wheatley as a councillor at Rayleigh Town Council and Rochford District Council.

"When representing his constituents Ron always brought to debates a practical and common-sense view point.

"He was an honourable man and a lovely person and will be greatly missed.

"Ron is survived by his wife, Freda and our thoughts are with his wife and family at this sad time.”