Tributes have been paid to a popular former North East councillor after his passing this week.

Chris McIntyre, 70, who served as a councillor for Middlesbrough's Park Ward for four years, has been paid tributes by former colleagues after his death.

The "passionate" councillor was a member of the Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA), as well as the Chair of the Council’s Culture & Communities Scrutiny Panel. 

Former colleague, Councillor Mick Saunders, said he was shocked by the news of Mr McIntyre's passing.

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The Northern Echo:

He said: "It was a total shock to hear about Chris passing away.

"Chris was a highly valued member of the MICA group since his election in 2019 who always had the interests of Middlesbrough at heart.

“He was also very passionate in his role as Chair of the Culture & Communities Scrutiny Panel.

“He will be very sadly missed by his family and friends.”

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Fellow MICA member Councillor Graham Wilson said: “I was Chris's vice chair on the Culture & Communities panel, and he was very passionate about this committee and what it meant to the community.

“It was a privilege to work alongside him.”

"The flag over Middlesbrough Town Hall will be flying at half-mast as a mark of respect.