A COMMUNITY is mourning the loss of a man who dedicated his life to helping others.

Jim Everson, 65, a councillor and former nursery caretaker, died on January 2 after a long battle against cancer.

He gave up his job as a caretaker at Tudhoe Moor Nursery School when he was diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago.

Despite his illness, he continued to play an active role as a councillor on Spennymoor town and Sedgefield borough councils.

Mr Everson spent 18 years on the borough council and when he was too ill to go to the meetings he would work from his home in Willow Road, Middlestone Moor.

His wife of 44 years, Anne, said: "He helped everybody that he could, but never promised anybody anything. He just said he would help them if he was able."

One of those he helped was Prime Minister Tony Blair, when he nominated the fledgling politician for his constituency seat of Sedgefield.

Councillor Bill Waters, a colleague on both councils, said Mr Everson was characterised by his integrity.

He said: "Away from his family, the village and the community centre were his life."

The funeral will take place at St Paul's Church, Spennymoor, on Monday, at noon.