TRIBUTES have been paid to a former mayor and honorary alderman who gave more than 40 years of his life to public service.

John Dormer died on Tuesday aged 78. Mr Dormer, who was born in London, moved to Newton Aycliffe with his late wife, Wyn, in 1958.

He joined the former parish council a year later and also served on the former Darlington Rural District Council and the Peterlee and Aycliffe Development Corporation.

A former member of Great Aycliffe Town Council, he was also mayor in 1990 to 1991.

He was first elected to Durham County Council in 1989 and was made an honorary alderman of the county council when he stood down at the 2005 elections.

He was also a quality controller and estimator, who worked for Whessoe and Cleveland Bridge, and was a founder member and president of the town's Rotary Club.

Durham County Council leader Albert Nugent said yesterday: "Throughout his long and distinguished service as a county councillor, John Dormer not only brought huge presence and sparkling personality to council business, but great clarity of thought, intellect and a deep-rooted concern, not only for the people he represented in Aycliffe, but for the welfare of the county as a whole."

Bob Fleming, Newton Aycliffe councillor and leader of Sedgefield Borough Council, said: "He was a man of high integrity, a man of his word, and a true gentleman.

"He hated confrontation, but was prepared to fight his corner, yet never in anger.

"We will miss him tremendously and are really saddened by his death"

His funeral will be held in St Clare's, Newton Aycliffe, at 10.30am on Wednesday.