TRIBUTES are being paid to the district and former county councillor John Clark.

The Liberal Party, of which Cllr Clark was a member, said: "We are sad to report Liberal Party Cllr. John Clark from Ryedale died yesterday after being admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties. Our thoughts are with Cathy and family at this time."

County Councillor Greg White, who represents Pickering, said: " I was sorry to hear that Cllr John Clark had died. Over the last 17 years and with very slim majorities, we have taken turns to represent the Pickering and Cropton Division at County Hall. Although we were political adversaries, I had great respect for John who was an intelligent, principled and thoughtful individual, prepared to consider different views and engage in genuine debate.

"He was also a great character, unconventional in both his appearance and his approach to politics.

"Rightly parsimonious with public money, he apparently did not believe Councillors should be provided with a buffet lunch after their meetings. As a one man protest, he would refuse to eat the sandwiches offered and instead took in his own packed lunch.

"I also remember him staging a hunger strike outside a Residential Home in Scarborough, because he believed a resident was being mistreated. His protest only ended when a review of the case was announced.

"John had a dry humour. At his insistence we would always have a small private wager at elections, with each betting against ourselves. He reasoned that whichever of us lost would have the consolation of winning the bet. He was also generous, turning up at my door with the gift of a beef joint, from his own herd, the day after beating me in an election

"Of course John could also be a bit of a pain. He was a master at exploiting meeting rules and procedures to generate drama and make his points and, as a result, Ryedale District Council meeting seemed to be quite a bit longer whenever he was present.

"Even so there will be a lot less colour in our local politics with the passing of John Clark and I am genuinely sad that he has gone."

The Liberal Party tweeted: "We are sad to report Liberal Party Cllr. John Clark from Ryedale died yesterday after being admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties. Our thoughts are with Cathy and family at this time."