Leading councillors have paid tribute to a former colleague who dedicated much of his life to public service.
Former Wooler county councillor Anthony Murray died peacefully in hospital on May 27 after a long illness.
Mr Murray served as a Conservative Northumberland county councillor for the Wooler ward from 2008 until 2021, having previously spent decades serving as a parish councillor in Chatton.
He was also a well-known farmer, as well as operating the Kielder Water ferry for a decade before returning to Wooler to run a garden centre along with his wife Patricia. He was made an MBE in 2015 and received the Freedom of Wooler in 2021.
At Wednesday's meeting of the county council, chairman Coun Barry Flux announced the news to members, before members stood for a minutes silence.
Coun Flux said: "It is my sad duty to announce the passing of former county councillor Anthony Murray. He was a very active member of the council, serving on a wide range of committees and working groups.
"Coun Murray also represented the council on nine outside bodies including the National Park Authority. He started representing local communities as far bask as 1975 when he became a parish councillor.
"I'm sure Coun Murray will be missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, members and the communities he served."
Coun Glen Sanderson, who delivered Mr Murray eulogy, led tributes and said it was an "honour" to know him.
He said: "Anthony Murray was an outstanding individual. Many of you were lucky enough to haver known him, some of you may have been unlucky enough to see his ferocious side.
"He was determined to fight at all times for what was best for Wooler. He gave everything he had for his community.
"His MBE underlined the impact he made on his community. I was lucky enough to give the eulogy at his funeral, I had the honour of knowing him and I'm very grateful for that."
Labour leader Scott Dickinson added: "He was one of the first councillors I came across who said we were all in it for the same thing and we had to be in it for the people. He was one of the few councillors that you could actually have a discussion with and disagree without it getting out of hand.
"From the Labour group, we are much much saddened to hear of his death."
Read next:
