TRIBUTES have been paid to a "champion of the local community", Basil Whittington who passed away on Monday morning.

Mr Whittington who lives in Mile End, has been a parish councillor for West Dean for 10 years and served for the Christchurch ward.

He is also the chairman trustee for the Edge End recreation ground committee.

Despite, in recent months, suffering from ill-health Mr Whittington still remained actively involved within the community.

Chairman of West Dean parish council, Ian Hendy said: "It has come as a shock – not so long ago Basil and I were sitting in on a committee meeting. That's one thing I will say about Basil is that right up until his death he was actively engaged in the community and, in all the years I worked alongside him, he came across as a hardworking councillor who was at the forefront of any campaign he was passionate about – one example that springs to mind is the work he has done at the playfields in Mile End.

"He was such a gentleman and he will be sorely missed, and one thing is for sure is he will leave a big gap within the council."