Tributes have been paid to "a true Folkestonian" and town and district councillor after his shock death.

Paul Marsh, who was also Mayor of Folkestone between 1992 and 1994 and again briefly in 1995, died over the weekend.

He passed away suddenly on Sunday morning, his family said.

Mr Marsh represented the East Folkestone ward on Folkestone Town Council and until the last election stood for the People First group on Shepway District Council.

He was a respected councillor across the council chambers and served as chairman of the town council's Finance and General Purposes Committee for many years.

His niece posted on Facebook saying: It is with great regret that have to inform you that my wonderful uncle Paul Marsh passed away this morning.

"Our family are in total shock I wish it was not true but it is. He will be greatly missed by us all. He was one in a million. The kindest most caring person you could meet who would do anything for anyone. A true gent, a diamond."

"He had a wicked sense of humour and was a true Folkestonian who loved this town and did his best." Friend Kay McLoughlin

Deputy mayor of Folkestone, Martin Salmon said: "Paul Marsh was a great servant of Folkestone and will be missed by all who knew him."

Friends and colleagues have joined in by paying tribute to Mr Marsh calling him a "lovely guy" and that he "always had time for everybody".

Rosemary Collard said: "So sorry to hear this very sad news. Paul was a lovely man, one of life's gentle souls with a wicked sense of humour."

Neighbour and friend Kay McLoughlin added: "Folkestone has suffered a great loss. He had a wicked sense of humour and was a true Folkestonian who loved this town and did his best.

"I greatly admired him and enjoyed watching him as chair at various council meetings where he took no prisoners and spoke so much common sense."