Business leaders have been paying tribute to Kent county councilllor Kevin Lynes who died suddenly during a gym workout on Friday evening.

Cllr Lynes, 53, was cabinet member for regeneration and economic development and had been a tireless business champion in that role.

He fought for faster broadband across the county, led a task force devoted to helping 350 workers hit by the closure of Thamesteel, Sheerness, and the campaign to maintain a science business presence in Sandwich when Pfizer announced it was leaving the site.

Cllr Lynes (pictured above) would have taken a prominent part at the Kent 2020 Vision show at Detling showground on April 19. He was looking forward to face-to-face meetings with delegates in what were billed as "Coffee with Kevin" sessions.

He was a passionate supporter of the Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA), staged and organised by KCC and the KM Group, and recently backed a plan to encourage bosses to become Kent business champions.

Jo James, chief executive of Kent invicta Chamber of Commerce, worked closely with Cllr Lynes on the Backing Kent Business campaign and other projects.

She said: "Like so many others, I was both shocked and saddened to hear the news of Kevin's death at the weekend. He was truly a champion for our county and a real friend to the Kent business community.

"He will be sorely missed, not only as a fine personality, but for his immense contribution to the community as a whole; especially to the business community throughout the county.

"Kevin has been tireless in his efforts to co-ordinate the endeavours of KCC and business organisations to improve and develop the economy of Kent.

"He set up 'Backing Kent Business' to ensure that we are all working together to achieve the same ends, and that has had a very significant effect on the current success displayed by business in Kent during a very difficult period.

"I, and other business and local government leaders, must strive to make certain that his philosophy continues to prevail, and that his legacy to the county becomes a permanent memorial."

David Rawlance, Lloyds TSB Commercial senior manager for Kent and the South East, said it was a very sad day.