Tributes have been paid to a former councillor who has been described as “a gentleman” following his death.

Richard Turpin OBE, also known to many as Dick, served on Huntingdonshire District Council for many years after a career in the RAF where he was a wing commander.

Mr Turpin died at his home after a short fight with oesophageal cancer on Tuesday (July 26).

At a meeting of the district council on Wednesday members spoke of their found memories of the 80-year-old.

Chairman of the council, Councillor Peter Bucknell said: “If there is one word to describe Dick it is a gentleman. He was a real nice man and I shall miss him on the circuit.”

The funeral will take place at St Bartholemew Church, in Great Stukeley, at 11.30am on Tuesday, August 9.

A fund has been set up in memory of Mr Turpin for the Macmillan Woodlands Centre, a charity that was close to his heart.

The family have requested that, instead of sending flowers, family and friends kindly make a donation to Macmillan.

To donate go to macmillan.tributefunds.com/richard-turpin.