TRIBUTES have been paid to Durham community stalwart Jeff Lodge who has died following an illness - weeks after he was granted freedom of the city.

Mr Lodge, 76, a farmer, of Pity Me, had been on Framwellgate Moor Parish Council since 1967 and served on Durham Rural District Council and its successor, Durham City Council, from 1970 until 2009. An independent councillor throughout, he was Mayor of Durham in 2006.

He had also been prominent in the Royal British Legion, chairing the local branch and serving as a national trustee and chairman of the RBL National Homes and Property Committee.

Mr Lodge received an MBE in 2007 for his services to the RBL and was made an honorary alderman of the city last year.

Durham County councillor and Framwellgate Moor parish councillor Mark Wilkes said: "I am deeply saddened by the loss of Jeff. He has been a towering figure in the community for decades.

"I was so happy to propose him to be given the Honorary Freedom of the City of Durham just a few weeks ago and know that he is going to be missed by so many people not just in Framwellgate Moor but across the whole of the county and beyond.

"His inspiring work for the British Legion and his tireless work on the parish and city council gave him the respect of every councillor and the whole community. I learnt so much from Jeff and hope he will always be remembered."

Durham Mayor Councillor Mayor Dennis Southwell said: "His input into the city was limitless.

"He was well known and respected by all. He was always positive and never negative and always helped to find solutions.

"I am proud to have been associated with Jeff Lodge. He was an example to all. He was honest and had integrity. His memory will last for many years."

Fellow parish councillor Terry Moderate said: "It is a terrible loss to the community. He has been in ill health for the last couple of years, but it never stopped him from performing his duties as parish council chairman or as chairman of the governors at Framwellgate Moor Primary School." An old boy of Durham School, he was called up for National Service with the Royal Engineers and spent most of his time in Hamburg, West Germany, as a Railway Traffic Officer, completing service with the rank of corporal.

In 1961, Mr Lodge met Alwynne, a General Practitioner - they were married for over 40 years when she died in November 2003.

He also served as chairman of the Durham Regatta Committee, Framwellgate Moor Community Centre and Durham District Youth and Community Committee.