TRIBUTES have been paid to a councillor who served his community for 48 years until his death from thrombosis this month.

Jimmy Jones, 79, was born in the Deerness Valley, and, since 1953, served on various councils and committees in Tow Law, County Durham.

Councillor Jones was originally a miner, who went on to work in the post room at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. He started his public career on the former Tow Law Urban District Council.

When councils were restructured in 1974, he served on Wear Valley District Council and Tow Law Town Council, of which he became chairman.

When his time with the district council ended in 1991, he continued with the town council until his death on January 5. Coun Jones' career also included a spell on Durham County Council.

Town council chairman Jenny Flynn said: "I only knew him for 20 years, but, in that period, he chaired the fight for the new school at St Joseph, he chaired the fundraising committee for the new community centre, and he chaired the floodlight appeal for the football club."

Despite heart trouble, he continued to work for the community, which turned out for his funeral at St Joseph's Church on Friday, when tributes were led by North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong.

Coun Jones leaves a wife, Joyce, two sons and five grandchildren.