TRIBUTES have been paid to a former top football referee and tenants champion who died last week.

Peter Baldwin, 71, of Farndale Gardens, Lingdale, East Cleveland enjoyed a football career that spanned 50 years, including 14 years as a league referee.

He refereed the 1966 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Chelsea and last October was presented with a silver salver by the Referees Association.

General Secretary of the association, Arthur Smith, said: "Peter was a staunch RA member, who gave long service and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and worked with him."

His active role as a tenant of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council saw him elected to the chair of the East Cleveland District Area Committee and a place on the Coast and Country Housing's Shadow Board, the proposed new not-for-profit housing organisation which tenants are currently voting whether to accept.

He had become a well-known face to tenants, featuring in a video explaining the role of the organisation. The council's director of housing, Iain Sim ,said: "Peter was a great guy who will be sorely missed.

He has been invaluable with the advice and support he has given. It's such a tragedy that after all his hard work, he won't be here for the final result."

Mr Sim, a Scot, said: "He and I had a bet. He gave me a Football Association tie and if the ballot voted for the new organisation, I was to wear it at the next board meeting. Whatever happens, I'll wear it."

Mr Baldwin has been a widower since his wife, June, died 18 months ago. He leaves a son, Gary, daughter Val and grandson Sam. His funeral takes place at Teesside Crematorium, today.