TRIBUTES to former district councillor David Morgan, a man many fondly described as an old fashioned "gentleman," were made yesterday following his death on Monday.

Mr Morgan, from Oakdene Drive, Barnt Green, died aged 78, in the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, where he had been a patient for the past five weeks.

A retired schoolmaster in Birmingham, he became a councillor for the Norton ward on Bromsgrove District Council when the authority came into being in 1973.

He served on all its main committees and was chairman in 1980-1. He lost his seat in the 1995 election.

A man of many and varied interests, he was a founder member and was currently president of Bromsgrove Twinning Association which through his endeavours continues to flourish after more than 20 years.

Association vice president Joyce Brown from Romsley said: "It is a sad day, he will be greatly missed."

The welfare of blind people had occupied much of his time since his retirement.

Mr Morgan was chairman of Bromsgrove Association for the blind and a former vice chairman of the county association.

Joyce Wearing from Barnt Green, a long time member of the Bromsgrove association committee said: "David was always very courteous and very amenable and gave his time unstintingly for the association."

Council leader Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said: "David was a very polite, old fashioned gentman who I greatly admired. He never said a word in anger against anyone."

He leaves a brother and sister.

The funeral arrangemnets will be announced later.