Warm tributes have been paid to a true 'man of the people' who was well-known in his home village for making a difference to local life.

Malcolm Scott, died on Friday aged 66 following a debilitating illness which developed over 18 months.

Well-intentioned and driven by the interests of 'the little man' he was the chairman of Belton with Browston Parish Council for a decade but was also a player on the national political stage.

A life-long Liberal Party member he was proud to have achieved 50 years of continuous adult membership before he died, having signed up as soon as he was 16.

In 1974 he stood as a Liberal candidate in the general election with aspirations to represent South Norfolk, garnering 14,000 votes but finishing third behind Tory John MacGregor who took the seat. He also acted as agent to Clement Freud during his general election campaign.

He was founding editor of the Village Voice magazine, the journal for Belton life, taking it from four pages to around 20, encouraging a sense of community and helping local groups to connect in the village.

Mr Scott grew up in his parent's guest house in St George's Road, Great Yarmouth, the third youngest of four. An exceptionally bright child he was educated at a fee-paying school in Ipswich, coming home only at weekends.

Having achieved good grades he entered catering college in Norwich having always enjoyed cooking at the hotel, which he took over and ran for a time.

Later he enjoyed a stint working at the Tower Ballroom in Yarmouth.

Equipped with a good sense of humour and an agile mind he took to working in advertising ending up as the local representative for a London-based company responsible for adverts on buses.

Having moved to Belton with his parents in the 1960s he developed a love for the village and his county which meant he rarely went beyond its borders - his only trip abroad to Bulgaria putting him off foreign travel for life.

Apart from being passionate about local life he enjoyed cookery and collectables taking a particular interest in old Yarmouth and theatres.

His knowledge and understanding of politics coupled with a terrific sense of humour meant he was often in demand on Radio Norfolk to review the papers, holding strong views without being opinionated and with a reputation for being clever and interesting.

Although he never married and was fiercely independent he had time for his family and always attended gatherings.

His funeral is on March 14, 10am at Gorleston Crematorium, afterwards at Belton Village Institute.