Labour veteran dies at 86

Tributes have poured in for a former Rugeley councillor who served in local government for more than 35 years.

Tom Smith, a former chairman of Cannock Chase Council, died at Staffordshire General Hospital in Stafford yesterday following a short illness.

The former Labour councillor, who lived in Burnthill Lane, Rugeley, for most of his life, was 86.

He had supported calls for the Rugeley Bypass and was at its opening in September.

The father-of-seven, married to Gladys, moved to Rugeley from Liverpool in 1948. Most recently he lived at Ravenhill nursing home in Rugeley.

Former council colleagues said they were saddened by his death. County Councillor Gwilym Roberts said: "His main aim throughout life was to boost the economy and the living standards of people in Rugeley."

Councillor Doug Thomas, Labour leader, said: "It is a sad loss. He did a lot of work for Rugeley."

Mr Smith's time in local government saw him in roles on the county council and Brereton & Ravenhill Parish Council.

He retired from Cannock Chase Council in 2002.