TRIBUTES have been paid to a serving Torridge District Councillor and prominent local businessman Ken Carroll who sadly passed away on August 28.

Cllr Carroll was elected to Torridge in May 2015, as a Conservative ward member for Holsworthy. He was chair of the council’s standards committee and also served on the licensing committee.

Cllr David Hurley, ward member for Shebbear and Langtree and deputy leader of Torridge District Council, said: "I was very sad to hear this news. Ken was a gentleman and a real pleasure to have known."

Jenny Wallace, head of paid service at Torridge Council, said: "We are very sorry to hear of Ken’s passing, he will be a much missed member of the council. A true gentleman he was enthusiastic about his role as a councillor and was an active member on committees and at a more local level supporting his constituents in Holsworthy. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Cllr Margaret Brown, ward member for Torrington, said: "This is very sad news, Ken was a real gentleman."

Cllr Tony Inch, ward member for Bideford South, said: "Very sorry to hear the sad news, working with Ken has been a real pleasure, Michelle and I are thinking and praying for his family at this sad time."

Cllr Mervyn Langmead, ward member for Bideford East said: "So sad to hear the bad news, it was a pleasure knowing him, a perfect gentleman, and it’s been an honour working with him. Rest in peace Ken."

Cllr Rose Lock, ward member for Three Moors, said: "Sorry to hear the sad news and thinking of his family at this time. He was a gentleman at all times and it was an absolute pleasure to have worked with him."

The flag at Riverbank House will fly at half-mast in respect.