TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving Conservative party member who has died.

Retired former mill and hotel owner Brian Cunliffe OBE, of Whiteacre Lane, Barrow, Clitheroe, died on Friday morning following a short illness.

He was officially the longest serving officer of the Ribble Valley Conservative Association and was an honorary patron of the group.

He had been involved for more than 60 years and was presented with an engraved decanter for his service in 2009.

The association’s chairman, County Councillor Albert Atkinson, paid tribute to Mr Cunliffe.

He said: “His achievements and dedicated service are unique, his contribution immense and he conducted himself modestly and without fuss.”

Ribble Valley Conservative MP Nigel Evans said: “Brian was a vital member of my team and signed individually every letter to members, seeking their financial support in many general elections and managing the election appeal.

“He has been a pillar of this association as long as I have been candidate and MP.

"He will be greatly missed.

“Our condolences go to his wife Joyce and son, with our heartfelt thanks for a lifetime of service to the Ribble Valley and our party of a great Conservative.

"He leaves big shoes which will be difficult to fill.”

Mr Cunliffe, who was in his mid-80s, started as an officer in the Young Conservatives in Rochdale where he met his wife Joyce and then served as an officer, chairman, president, patron and diary chairman.

He was also a member of the association management team and helped to run the Whalley Supper Club and Whalley, Wiswell and Barrow Branch where two weeks ago he organised a strawberries and cream garden party to raise funds for the association.

He personally edited the association diary and gathered support for it from across the borough.

Arrangements for his funeral and memorial service have yet to be announced.