TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of Wychavon District Councillor Richard Lasota.

Cllr Lasota, who represented The Littletons, an area that also covers Cleeve Prior, had served since 2011. He was aged 71.

Prior to the first Covid lockdown, Cllr Lasota had run Happy Little Sole, a chip shop in South Littleton, and was recently appointed chairman of Littleton Football Club.

Councillor Mark Goodge, a Conservative colleague who serves Badsey on Wychavon District Council, said: “Richard is someone I got to know with him representing a neighbouring ward and he will be missed.

“He was one of the characters of the council and his death will leave a big hole.

“He was very active in so many parts of the community and there were not a lot of areas he did not know about. If you wanted to know anything, particularly about the rural areas, Richard was your man to answer pretty much any question you had.”

Leader of Wychavon, Councillor Bradley Thomas, added: “We’re all deeply saddened by the passing of Councillor Richard Lasota.

"Richard was a caring man who was passionate about the area he served and its residents. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Marion Brighton, club secretary at Littleton Football Club, said: “He had not been chairman for long but put a great deal of enthusiasm into the role and the people of the club,”

“He had been a great supporter over a number of years before becoming chairman. He regularly came down and supported the club in any way he could.

“He knew different people and helped the club to get things done. He will be missed by everyone at the club.”

A Wychavon District Council spokesperson said the vacant seat would get put to a by-election if more than one person puts themselves forward but that any process would not start until after Cllr Lasota's funeral.