A LEADING businessman and local councillor in Great Yarmouth, Mike Butcher, died suddenly last night. He was 66.

Mr Butcher, who lived in Gorleston, was the Conservative councillor for Bradwell South and Hopton ward on the borough council and a past chairman of Hopton Parish Council.

Close friend Ian McCreadie said: 'He was a very kind-hearted and did a lot in and around the town', and leader of the borough council Cllr Steve Ames paid tribute and said: 'Mike was an asset to the council and he was never frightened to take on a challenge.'

Mr Butcher had spent 20 years in the offshore industry before returning to his home borough and owned the famous Long Bar on Yarmouth's seafront.

He leaves a widow, two sons and grandchildren.

Mercury Editor Anne Edwards said: 'Mike was not only someone who I came into contact with regularly on a work basis, but he was also a good friend, an honest friend, and one who always had a smile on his face and a joke or two up his sleeve. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family.'