Tributes were today being paid to a former policeman, long-standing campaigner and vice-chairman of Stourbridge Township Council who has died, aged 71.

Great-grandfather John Shepherd, who was a tireless campaigner for 15 years, died at home in Hagley Road, Oldswinford, after a battle with lung cancer. He leaves two daughters, Jackie and Tracey, and son John.

Stourbridge Township Council campaign group chairman Margaret Scott said members were in a “state of shock” after Mr Shepherd’s death.

“We are all devastated by this as he went down so quickly. He worked so hard for the community and had worked on a number of projects. He had such a dry humour and will be so sorely missed by everyone.”

Stourbridge councillor and Dudley Council deputy leader Les Jones said: “We need more people like John in the community. John gave a lifetime of public service as a policeman and when he got involved with the township council he brought it up to date.”

Mr Shepherd was born in Alum Rock, Birmingham, to parents Dot and Jack and has a brother, Keith.

After National Service he Birmingham City Police and worked in crime intelligence. He married second wife Kari 23 years ago and moved to Stourbridge to work for West Midlands Police at Brierley Hill, Stourbridge and Halesowen. After retiring 15 years ago he became township council vice-chairman and had been clerk for two years.

Mr Shepherd’s son, John, 49, said his father had been one of the driving forces behind proposals to restore the landmark Mary Stevens Park gates, in Stourbridge.

The township council campaigned for more than a decade to persuade councillors to restore the Grade-II listed gates.

This summer a bid was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for cash while the council put up additional funding. “The restoration of the gates will be one of his legacies and I know that everyone at the township council will keep the pressure up to make sure its completed,” said the journalist, 49, of Brighton.

Mr Shepherd’s funeral is at Stourbridge Crematorium on Monday, January 11 (1.30pm).