Tributes have been paid to a “terrific” and “kind” parish councillor who sadly passed away after dedicating years of his life to representing his community.

Mike Jones represented Studley Green, Water End, Beacons Bottom and Horsleys Green on Stokenchurch Parish Council for more than 21 years.

County councillor Darren Hayday, who knew Cllr Jones for around five years, said he was a “kind man who always made me feel welcome and part of the local community.”

He said: “He worked for many years on the parish council meeting looking after the interests of Studley Green, Beacons Bottom, Water End and his home hamlet of Horsleys Green.

“I would always look forward to seeing him at the Stokenchurch Parish meetings and I had no idea of his health issues till I learned that he passed away suddenly.

“I was genuinely saddened and also shocked as he was not that old, when I heard of his passing. He is the second local Parish Councillor who we have lost in as many months - Cllr Sylvia Storey from Piddington and Wheeler End Parish Council sadly passed away as well.

“They were both very hard working and dedicated local residents who cared about their hamlets and villages.

“We had a good working relationship and I hope the best for his family and especially Molly who they were very close, and I cannot imagine what she is currently going through right now. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and I’m going to miss him.”

Cllr Victoria Nuthall, chairman of Stokenchurch Parish Council, also paid tribute to her colleague on behalf of the council.

She said: “Mike was an outstanding councillor, highly respected by his colleagues and we thank him for his support and significant contribution over the years - he will be dearly missed.

“On behalf of Stokenchurch Parish Council, we would like to offer our sincere condolences to Molly, Sally, Peter and their families at this sad time.”