KNUTSFORD'S Town Mayor has paid tribute to a colleague 'who will be a hard act to follow' after he passed away this week.

Clr Clive Nicholson, member for the Nether Ward at Knutsford Town Council, died on Thursday, September 11 after suffering from a long term illness.

Clr Nicholson, was elected as a town councillor in 2011 and played an active role in the authority as it began to take on assets from Cheshire East Council, bringing his many years of experience working in local government to the role.

His wife, Jan, is also a town councillor for the Norbury Booths Ward.

Both councillors were on a leave of absence at the time of Clr Nicholson’s death due to his ill health.

Knutsford Town Mayor Clr Neil Forbes paid tribute to Clr Nicholson adding his colleague always enjoyed a 'robust discussion'.

"Clive was a hard working councillor who believed if something was worth doing it was worth doing well, especially when on behalf of the Knutsfordians he represented," he said.

"Some might consider him a little old fashioned as he much preferred the personal approach of ‘phone calls and face to face meetings rather than the current ‘addiction’ of emails and being ‘glued’ to computer screens. He enjoyed a robust discussion and would call a spade a shovel before metaphorically burying you with it if your argument was weak in committee or council meetings.

"However win or lose the debate he recognised it for what it was; politics and would always be happy to share a pint or two afterwards.

"Clive’s previous experience as a senior local authority officer meant he had a wealth of experience to call upon as well as from being Mayor’s consort to Jan.

"Clive and his sage words will be missed greatly. He will be a ‘hard act to follow’."

Fellow Nether Ward Clr Stewart Gardiner said: "I valued Clive as a colleague both on the Town Council and the Local Conservative Association; he was always very supportive of me. I will miss his forensic analysis of issues at meetings, his particular way of working; his instance that we did this the right way; even if it met with opposition.

"I’ll miss his sense of humour and his ability to see the funny side of a serious situation, but most of all I will miss him as a true friend."

Clr Vivien Davies, also councillor for Nether Ward, added: "I was sad to hear the news to day of Clive's death, he will be missed as a fellow councillor and Nether Ward member and remembered for his work in the town. My sincere sympathies are with his wife Clr Jan Nicholson and the family."