Tributes have been paid to a veteran councillor who has died.

Wayne Elliott, of Deal Town Council, passed way peacefully at Ami Court nursing home last night after suffering a stroke seven weeks ago.

Those who knew him say he will be remembered for helping people.

Fellow councillor and friend Cllr Trevor Bond said: "Wayne was such a big part of the town.

"He helped a lot of people regardless of who they were and what they were. He was always there helping them.

"Having spent six weeks at the QEQM Hospital after his stroke, he passed away in Deal - a town he loved."

Cllr Bond who would visit him regularly at the Thanet hospital said doctors had worked hard to try and rehabilitate Cllr Elliott after a stroke on March 8.

He had also suffered a heart attack in 2012. The incident hit the headlines because it was his 12-year-old neighbour Bailey Skardon who ultimately saved his life.

Bailey saw Cllr Elliott in distress in the driver's seat of his car and stopped to make sure he was okay. He called the ambulance service and performed basic first aid by following the instructions of the telephone operator.

In the last week, Cllr Elliott had been moved to Ami Court nursing home in Dover Road.

Cllr Bond said: "They have been terrific with him in his last week."

In recent years Cllr Elliott has been particularly involved with community organisations Deal Icebreakers, the Deal branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Talk It Out and Heartstart.

Debbie Edwards, of Deal Icebreakers 1981 who organise the town's annual Boxing Day Dip, said: "Deal has lost a very great man.

"He did so much for our town and we should all be grateful for his help.

"He helped Deal Icebreakers out for four years. He drummed up support encouraging people to do the dip and was always willing to lend anyone a hand. He whole heartedly helped everyone who needed it.

"I will miss him deeply so will my son Kieran. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Cllr Elliott had been in local government since 1979, having in the past been a member of Dover District Council.

He was the town council's North Deal ward member and a former Deal mayor, serving in 1982-83, and deputy mayor in 2015-16.

He was presented with a Locality public sector hero award at the House of Lords in 2015.

He was then one of just 17 councillors in the country to get the accolade for providing exemplary support, encouragement, advice and guidance to local community organisations.

Katie Gardner, mother of Megan Gridley, pictured above said: "We thank Wayne for everything. He cared for Megan a lot and was always messaging to see how she was. We are heartbroken. It really does feel like we've lost a family member. Our love goes out to his wife and family."

Deal Community First Responder and Heartstart co-ordinator Beverley-Jayne Last said: "Wayne's dedication to our community has been selfless and immense and has earned him the greatest of respect by those of us he supported.

"I thank him you for all that he did for me as a Community First Responder and backing Heartstart from the get go, over five years ago.

"His latest gift to our community was helping me to fund raise for Public Access Defibrillators and the latest one went live just a few days ago. I'm sorry he was not there to see it.

"Our town will be better thanks to him and for every cause he battled for in our community and his amazing 40 plus years dedicated to politics."

Former mayoress of Deal and mental health activist Tracy Carr said: "Wayne helped so much behind the scenes with Talk it Out in the early days.

"Many times Wayne would be there when the services were not so thank you from me and Talk it Out."

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “I’m deeply saddened to learn that Cllr Wayne Elliott has passed away.

“Wayne served Deal with distinction. He worked tirelessly for his local community and will be greatly missed by all in the town he loved.

“My thoughts are with Wayne’s family at this time. They can be proud of his legacy as a public servant and a stalwart of our local community.”

He leaves his wife Marion and two children.