Tributes have been paid to a former West Norfolk mayor and serving borough councillor who died last week aged 75.

Snettisham councillor David Johnson, whose ward also included Fring, Ingoldisthorpe, Sedgeford and Sherbourne, died on Thursday.

Mr Johnson, of Station Road, had lived and worked in Norfolk all his life and was known to many people through his passion for music.

Fellow Snettisham councillor Zipha Christopher, who was borough mayor for 2010/2011, said: 'He was a pleasure to work with because he knew the people of Snettisham far better then I did when I became a councillor.

'He walked everywhere round the village and was immensely helpful to me because he knew lots of people having lived here for so many years.

'He made a splendid mayor for the time he was in that position and we gave each other lifts when we needed them. He was just a real gentleman.

'He also had a wonderful voice and sang in the church.'

North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham added: 'David was a truly remarkable person. Nothing was too much trouble for him. If we had more people like him, West Norfolk would be a much better place.'

After being elected to West Norfolk Council in May 2003, the Conservative councillor served as deputy mayor in 2005/06. He was borough mayor a few years later and was also a member of the West Norfolk Disability Forum and the King's Lynn Internal Drainage Board.

Mr Johnson wore a calliper for most of his life and his input of life as a disabled person in his village and the borough was 'vital' to the West Norfolk Disability Forum.

Stephanie Smeaton, the forum's chairman, said: 'He was a wonderful man, colleague and friend.

'He had a disability and had a very good insight into the challenges of everyday living for the disabled. He will be sadly missed.'

A minute of silence was also observed by councillors at Monday's planning committee.

Vivienne Spikings, the committee's chairman, said: 'He was a lovely guy and someone you wanted to work with because he was always measured in his comments

'He didn't holler or shout to get his point across and he will be missed because everyone brings something to the table and he brought views which everyone listened to.'