TRIBUTES have been paid to a parish councillor who gave 30 years of his life to representing his community.

Mike King, the former chairman for Colden Common Parish Council, had been fighting cancer since December and passed away on Friday (July 4).

Current chairman, Cllr Richard Izard, said: “The Parish Council was very sad to hear the news that last Friday, Mike King lost his battle against cancer and passed away.

“Mike was a prominent character in the village known either through his role as landlord of the Black Horse Public House or as an active member of Colden Common Parish Council.

“He was a councillor for over 30 years, chairman of the council on a number of occasions and chairman of the recreation committee.

“It was a personal privilege to work with him on the Parish Council for a great deal of that time. He did not have a personal agenda but wanted the best recreational facilities for all those who lived in the village.

“He was passionate about Colden Common and described the village as the Manchester United of Villages, despite being an avid Chelsea Football Club fan.

“Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Wendy, his daughter Alecks and all his family and friends.”

The funeral was held on Wednesday (July 16) at Holy Trinity Church. The family requested no flowers were to be given but said any donations to the MacMillan nurses, via M Johnson funeral directors in Fair Oak, would be gratefully received.