Cromer's mayor paid warm tribute to one of her predecessors this evening before joining her fellow councillors in an impeccably-observed two minutes' silence.

The acts of remembrance came in the wake of the death on December 2 of long-serving town councillor Keith Johnson, who shot his wife Andrea before turning the gun on himself.

The meeting at the council chamber in North Lodge Park was the first full council since the death of Mr Johnson, who was a member for 28 years and mayor from 1997-2004, and his wife.

Before the meeting, the couple and their families were mentioned in prayers said by Cromer vicar the Rev Canon Dr David Court.

During the meeting, current mayor Gwen Smith said: 'He was a well respected and liked town councillor for 28 years. People held him in high regard and he was always willing to help with their problems.

'His main interest was in doing things for the town and he was always to be seen at events. He was someone on whom one could always rely and who could always be trusted.

'We would like to send our condolences to the families and I'm sure we will always remember Keith with affection.'

Members also heard from Mrs Smith that Larry Randall, a long-serving Cromer town, north Norfolk district and Norfolk county councillor, had died at the weekend.

She said: 'I think we should remember him and all the good work he did.'