TRIBUTES have been paid to a former chief executive of Teesdale District Council and chairman of the South Durham Magistrates' bench.

Eric Fell died at Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, on Monday, aged 64, after battling with lung cancer.

He was a magistrate for 30 years and after retiring, he became a Barnard Castle town councillor.

Born in Alfreton, Derbyshire, in 1942, he was one of four children. He worked at the local Coal Board before moving to Barnard Castle in 1976.

One of the greatest achievements during his nine years as chief executive of the district council was the construction of Teesdale Sports Centre in 1990. He took early retirement in 1994, but combined his roles as town councillor and magistrate with a number of other jobs. He was a governor at Montalbo and Barnard Castle schools as well as president of Barnard Castle Band and director of Teesdale Enterprise Agency.

Mr Fell is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jeanette, and two sons, Paul and Mark. He also leaves five grandchildren.

Paul Fell said: "He was such a down to earth man. There probably aren't many chief executives that go and play dominoes in their local working men's club."

Barnard Castle town councillor Alan Wilkinson said: "He brought to the town council a wealth of training and experience. But he also brought a lot of common sense, which we missed during his absence through illness and he will be missed in the future."

Mr Fell's funeral will be at Barnard Castle methodist church on Monday, at noon. Family flowers only, donations to Cancer Research UK (Teesdale) and to Friends of the Richardson Hospital