TRIBUTES have been paid to former Handforth councillor and honorary Alderman Tom Scanlon.

Tom, who also served as Macclesfield Borough Council’s mayor in 1998, died last Thursday (December 3) aged 81, having served as a councillor for 31 years until his retirement in 2007.

A former coal stoker on steam trains, gardener and park keeper, the great-grandfather of four was first elected a councillor for Handforth in 1976 and was one of the last honorary Alderman appointed by the former council in April this year.

His daughter Joy Humphries said: "He was a big family man and liked being boss but he had his chuckly side and could see the funny side of anything.

"He was only ever interested in helping people get what they were entitled to."

A grandfather of ten, he was married to wife Margaret for more than 50 years until she died.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007 and had lived in a Knutsford care home for the last couple of years, where, according to Joy, he will be fondly remembered as "a kind gentleman".

"He had no politics, was a fervent supporter of Handforth and was a great guy," said friend and former councillor Barry Burkhill.

"He was very straight and very forthright. Everyone in Handforth knew him."

A Cheshire East spokesman called his death "a great loss" and said their thoughts were with his family and friends.

His funeral is on Tuesday, December 15, 12.30pm at Altrincham Crematorium. Family flowers only, donations to East Cheshire Hospice.