The “great councillor” Geoffrey Jaggard, who gave decades in service of his community died this week.

Mr Jaggard served Forest Heath District Council for more than three decades, with 20 years as the council’s leader.

His service to the All Saints Ward in Newmarket has been praised by his fellow councillor and friend Robin Millar.

“First and foremost, Geoffrey was a good friend. I worked with him for over 15 years and learned much from his gentle but firm manner,” he said.

“As a governor of All Saints Primary School and a Reader in All Saints Church he was known and loved by many within the town.

“As a councillor, he was a good servant to the District and Newmarket. His leadership laid the strong foundations we are now building on in these testing times for local government.”

Mr Jaggard died after a short illness on Tuesday.

His successor as leader, James Waters, said: “Geoffrey was a great councillor. While we did not always see eye to eye, we are two very different people, he always treated me with respect.

“To reach 20 years as leader was an incredible achievement and he was dedicated to serving the community.

“It is such a sad loss to the people of Newmarket and Forest Heath as a whole.”