PRESTON Borough Council is reeling from the shocking deaths of two councillors in as many days.

Former mayor Coun Gerry Walmsley died yesterday (Wednesday) morning at Preston Town Hall, just two days after Conservative colleague Eric Gates passed away.

Council leader Peter Rankin described the losses as 'bolts from the blue'.

Coun Walmsley, who had just moved to Lea, died after suffering a massive heart attack while attending an information technology seminar at Preston Town Hall.

The 66-year-old had served on Preston Borough Council since 1973, with just two breaks from service. He was Mayor from 1987-1988, and Mr Rankin was one of the first to pay tribute to him.

He said: "He was an example to us all, exactly what a councillor should be. He got on with the job, and there was no pomposity about him whatsoever.

"I never saw him become angry in the time I knew him. Exasperated, yes, but he never lost his temper. He was such a patient man.

"He was out delivering leaflets with me at the weekend and he just loved computers, which is why he was on this course today. It is such a shock. His record of public service was tremendous."

Tributes have also been paid to Coun Gates, who was also 66, and had represented Preston Rural East on the borough council for four years. He also had 24 years parish council service under his belt.

Coun Yates, who had dedicated much of his time to stopping the proposed developments near to rural Goosnargh and Whittingham, had been suffering from heart problems for six months and was due to undergo an operation. Mayor of Preston, Coun Geoffrey Swarbrick, who represents the same ward as Coun Gates, said: "I am saddened to lose such a valuable colleague and friend.

"Eric Gates was a true gentleman and he will be missed by all who knew him."

Coun Ken Hudson, Preston's Tory leader, said: "It is so sad because we have lost a great friend.

"He was paying to have an angiogram done privately this week. I spoke to him last Thursday and his main concern was making it to council meetings."

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