TRIBUTES have been paid to a district councillor who has died, aged 77.

Mitch Mitchell, who represented Clacton’s Peter Bruff ward, died on November 28, after a heart attack.

Mr Mitchell, of Cloes Lane, was elected to Tendring Council in 2007.

Peter Halliday, leader of Tendring Council’s Conservative group, said: “It is a sad loss. Mitch was a gentleman and a loyal Conservative.

“He was a hard-working councillor.

He had Conservative values and was not afraid to speak out about them.”

Mr Halliday said Mr Mitchell had been unwell and had undergone an operation to remove a kidney, but was recovering and had started attending meetings again.

He said: “We expected him to get better, but then he had a heart attack.”

Mr Mitchell’s wife Gwen, who also represents the council’s Peter Bruff ward, praised ambulance crews for their hour-long attempt to save her husband’s life.

She said: “He would help anybody who asked for it.

“He was a generous man and loved his family and grandchildren.”

Mr Mitchell was born in Leominster, Herefordshire, and joined the Royal Air Force aged 15.

He married Gwen in 1961 and the couple moved to Clacton three years later.

He later worked for Tendring Council, running youth sports events.

He helped to set up the Project 89 workshop, which was based at the Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, helping people with head injuries.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening and sports and was also involved with the 1st Clacton Scout group.

Mr Mitchell leaves wife Gwen, son Alun and daughter Zara, as well as grandchildren Grace, Alice, Cameron, Callum, Briony and Kellsey.