Tributes have been paid to a former council leader who has died aged 92.

Coun Michael Livesley, who served as leader of the former Macclesfield Borough Council between 1980 and 1982, passed away peacefully at his home.

The grandfather-of-four served as a Macclesfield councillor from 1968 to 1982, representing the Sutton and Forest ward 

He leaves behind his only son, Bill, who is a Bollington ward councillor.

He said: “Dad always had an interest in politics and became a rural district councillor in 1968.

“When the Local Government Act was created, Macclesfield Borough Council was formed and dad chaired the main planning committee and became group secretary.

“In 1980, he became leader of Macclesfield Borough Council and we were all incredibly proud. But illness once again blighted his health and he decided to retire from the council two years later and move to Cornwall with mum.

“He had many happy years there, but unfortunately mum died in 2000.

“In 2010, he moved back to Macclesfield to be close to his family.

“It was nice for his grandchildren to be close and I got to chat to him every day right up until the end.

“Saying goodbye is sad for us all, but we take comfort in the fact that he lived a full life and went with the dignity and peacefulness that he deserved.”

Michael Livesley was born in Hale, Cheshire, in 1920.

 He worked for the Ministry of Agriculture during the Second World War. In 1952 he married wife Mary.

They rented Knowles House Farm in Sutton in 1952, and purchased it in 1953 and lived there for 30 years.

He was a founder member of the North Cheshire National Trust Branch and a member of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

He founded the Macclesfield Chess Club in 1948 and played county chess for some years.

Mr Livesley died at his Macclesfield home on Friday, April 12.

Coun Michael Jones, Cheshire East council leader, said: “I offer my deepest sympathy to the family at this difficult time. Michael was a wonderful human being with so much to offer his community and his death is a sad loss to everyone who was privileged enough to know him.”

His funeral was due to take place yesterday (Tuesday, April 23) at Macclesfield Crematorium.