TRIBUTES have been paid to a village stalwart known for his time as parish council chairman and volunteer work with charities.

Brian Rolfe, 83, died in Colchester Hospital last Tuesday after ongoing health issues from a knee operation.

The former Lawford Parish councillor was chairman for 25 years, only resigning last year due to ill health which left him almost immobile.

He joined due to the sale of four tennis courts and was instrumental in the new football club pavilion being built along with numerous other projects.

In honour of his dedication, Brian was made an honorary freeman of the parish.

Brian's wife Joy, said: "He started volunteering at an early age, about 12 when he was at the grammar school and came home from a meeting with Lawford Football Club with a promise his mum would was the shirts.

"He did his national service as a radio technician in the air force and worked at DX Plastics in the chemist field.

"He was a brilliant father and husband.

"My daughter said he was always the calming influence - I will miss him for that.

"He was very supportive with the children and the grandchildren and he loved being with them.

"He was well loved by the grandchildren, they are all devastated by his loss."

Brian and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2012 and attended the Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace together while he was chairman of Lawford Parish Council.

Brian has been part of many groups including Lawford Junior Football Club, a governor of Manningtree High School, part of the Market Towns Partnership, and a member of the Stour Valley Men’s Probus Club.

In 2015 he was awarded an MBE for his services to the community, which included being instrumental in setting up the charity Crossroads Tendring and Colchester.

Juliet Jeffrey, chief executive officer of Tendring and Colchester Crossroads, said Brian will be sadly missed.

She added: "Brian joined the Crossroads Tendring and Colchester board of trustees in February 1996 and and held the position of chairman until 2014.

"Brian helped to shape the services that we offer and has been a large part of the Crossroads journey from the start up in 1993.

"Brian was a fantastic chairman, he was a joy to work alongside and always extremely supportive.

"Brian was always willing to give his time to network and deal with any day to day issues.

"He was an entirely unselfish man who has put thousands of man hours back into the community without any other reason than to be of help and share his knowledge that he acquired over his illustrious career."

Brian leaves his wife Joy, two children Nicholas and Caroline, and six grandchildren.

His funeral arrangements are yet to be arranged.