TRIBUTES have been paid to a Hyndburn councillor who has died aged 68.

Cllr Paul Thompson lived in Hardman Close, Knuzden and had battled with cancer before passing away yesterday (THURS).

He was elected to Hyndburn Council in 2014 to represent the St Oswalds ward and was leader of the UKIP Group in Hyndburn.

Fellow UKIP representative on Hyndburn Council Cllr Malcolm Pritchard said: “You could never of met a nicer man.

“He was a councillor for the right reasons, for the good of the people and of the ward he represented.

“You would never see him having an argument with anyone

“He’s been a credit to the party for many years.

“My thoughts go out to his wife and son.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “Paul was a lovely man, a hard working councillor who worked with all and for the residents he represented.

“He was respected by everyone. Everyone got on well with him.”

Fellow St Oswalds Cllr Glen Harrison said: “He was supportive of me from day one. He will be missed sorely particularly by the residents in St Oswalds for whom he worked hard.”