TERRINGTON St Clement and Tilney All Saints councillor David Harwood has died.

The 58-year-old, who served the area on West Norfolk Borough as well as another ward on Norfolk County Council, died after a long illness.

The former police officer in West Norfolk, who was Vice Chairman of the board of governors at St Clement’s High School and Chairman of Terrington St Clement Parish Council, was elected as a borough councillor in 1999.

A decade later he added the county council to his portfolio, after winning election for Clenchwarton and King’s Lynn South, and immediately took responsibility for the Adult Social Services portfolio.

He had served in the borough council cabinet before being elected at county and was also involved with the West Norfolk Disability Forum, as well as being a board member of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Trust.

West Norfolk council leader Nick Daubney paid tribute to Mr Harwood, who leaves behind wife Lynda and a grown-up son and daughter.

He said: “It was remarkable that he continued to serve during his illness.

“David cared deeply about his community and worked very hard for the borough,” he added.

Labour group leader, Charles Joyce, also said Mr Harwood would be missed.

“While we had our differences, I believe it is true to say that David was a dedicated, hard-working and conscientious councillor who was loyal to the principles of everyone who wants a better life for their community,” he said.

A minute’s silence was held at yesterday’s (Monday, July 30) West Norfolk Borough Council meeting after news of Cllr Harwood’s death emerged.

Harold Bodmer, director of community services at Norfolk County Council, said: “David was totally devoted to improving the services we provide and always saw things from the perspective of the people of Norfolk who use our services.

“He was an extremely hard working and supportive cabinet member who always wanted us to do better.”

The county has cancelled its cabinet meeting on Monday (August 6) as a mark of respect.

Norwich Age UK chief executive Phil Wells said the charity had “lost an ally” in its campaign for responding to the concerns of older people.

“David took over the vital portfolio of adult care at a very difficult time of Government-required savings, so he was at the focus of our campaigning work to moderate the cuts,” he said.

“He took up the issues with energy, learned a huge amount in a short time and was brave in arguing the case in cabinet.

“So it is to a great extent thanks to David that the council listened and responded to the concerns of older people and we have lost an ally.”