TRIBUTES were paid from across the political divide to the former chairman of Dorset County Council, John Wilson.

Cllr Wilson died last month aged 74.

He was elected to the county council in 2001 as a Conservative member for Ferndown. He served as chairman for seven years until April this year, when he stood down due to health reasons after seven years in the role, but remained a county councillor.

Councillors gathered together for the first time since his passing at a full council meeting in late July.

Many councillors stood to pay loving and emotional tributes to Cllr Wilson.

His replacement as chairman of the council, Cllr Andrew Cattaway, led the tributes, saying Cllr Wilson was "conscientious" in his role.

Leader of the council, Cllr Robert Gould, said he performed his duties as chairman with “outstanding distinction”.

He said: “What always struck me was his total dedication to the people of Dorset. He will be long remembered.”

Cllr Ian Smith, who represented Ferndown alongside Cllr Wilson on the county council, said: “John was an absolutely incredible support to me, particularly in the early days when I knew nothing.

“Already I feel the loss of his support to me enormously, I miss him already.”

Labour’s Cllr Paul Kimber said: “We had someone who absolutely adored and loved this county.”

Cllr Mike Byatt called Cllr Wilson ‘a man of integrity and principles.’

Following the tributes from councillors, a minute’s silence was held in the council chamber to pay respects to him.

Cllr Wilson’s wife Lesley was present and following the meeting was presented with a book of condolences that councillors and members of the public had signed.

As well as his role as chairman, Cllr Wilson served in a number of committee roles, including as chairman of the Corporate Services Overview and Policy Development Committee between 2003 and 2007, and being the council’s member champion for freedom of information and corporate sustainability.

He was elected vice-chairman of the county council in 2005 and became chairman in 2009. The role included chairing meetings of the full council and representing the authority at civic and ceremonial functions, including a number of royal visits.

As well as a county councillor, Cllr Wilson had been a member of East Dorset District Council for Parley since 2011, was previously a Ferndown Town Councillor and was also a member of the Dorset Fire Authority, subsequently the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Authority, until standing down in April.