FORMER Mayor of Warrington Roy Humphreys has died.

The popular former Labour councillor was first citizen in 1997-98.

Well-known throughout the Longford area, he died at the Royal Liverpool hospital over the weekend.

Cllr Mike Hannon said: "He wasn't just a work colleague but a true friend and he passionately cared about his Longford community and worked tirelessly for them.

"It was his birthday next month and he would have been 75."

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead has also paid tribute to Mr Humphreys.

He said: "Roy was an ardent community warrior for his local neighbourhood, Longford.

"He never took 'no' for an answer.

"I'm sure he’ll be rattling his tin to the angels in heaven.

"He was a larger than life mayor in 1997/98 and was the 'unitary mayor' as we celebrated unitary status in April 1998.

"His passionate support for the Wire and his ability to bring about so much good in the town should never be forgotten. RIP."   

Council leader Cllr Terry O’Neill added: “Roy was elected onto the council in 1987 representing the Latchford ward and he really worked hard for his community continuously until his retirement from the council in May 2002.

“Roy was the unitary authority’s first mayor in 1997-1998 and he was appointed Hon Alderman in 2005.

“When he and his wife, Jean, moved to Longford he became involved with the Longford Neighbourhood Services Centre / Café and again worked tirelessly for the residents of that area. 

“He would always be phoning me and other councillors up looking for sources of funding to help deliver the projects he was passionate about like the Café and Centre in Longford.

“I’d describe Roy as a lovable rogue and he was always determined to help people, especially the elderly, who were less fortunate than he was.

“He will be sadly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.”