TOWN councillors have paid tribute to a community stalwart who has retired after 16 years' service.

Strickland Carter, the town clerk of Easingwold, North Yorkshire, has decided to stand down from his post, and his decision has prompted tributes from the community for his tireless work.

A former senior police officer, Mr Carter has helped to run the council since he took up the position in 1987, and to mark his time at the council, colleagues held a coffee morning, and a presentation will be made at the annual town council dinner next month.

Former council chairman and town Mayor Geoff Ellis said: "His outstanding ability to correspond and discuss with other authorities and local people on council matters has been fully recognised by everyone."

Mayor Diane Gallon said Mr Carter's knowledge from his previous work as a police officer - during which he had been head of the CID - had proved invaluable.

She said: "He always had good legal and crime-fighting advice, and could tell us what the police could and could not do."