Tributes have been paid to a long-standing councillor and former mayor of High Wycombe after he passed away on Wednesday evening.

The flag at Bucks County Council was lowered to half-mast and a minute’s silence was held during a full council meeting this morning following the death of councillor Chaudhary Ditta.

Cllr Ditta passed away at Stoke Mandeville hospital on November 21 and his funeral was held today.

The East Wycombe Independent councillor represented the ward of Totteridge and Bowerdean on the county council alongside Cllr Julia Wassell.

Cllr Wassell says she has been left in shock following the devastating news, and paid tribute to her colleague saying he was a “light” in the community and his death will leave a “huge gap in everyone’s lives”.

She said: “He was very calm, a light in his community and he liked to keep the peace. He was a great support and always stood beside me. We have been councillors together for 16 years.

“He supported me. Whenever I found myself in various difficulties he was there. His death is a huge loss to the county council, there is no question about that.

“He was very well respected at the council and in the community.

“He was working for the community right up until he died. He campaigned against the closure of the children’s centres and the loss of A&E at Wycombe hospital – we got 20,000 signatures on the petition.

“He is going to leave a huge gap in everyone’s lives.”

Cllr Ditta was first elected on the county council in May 2005 and was re-elected a further three times. He was also a member of Wycombe District Council from 2003 2015 and served as the mayor of High Wycombe from 2011 to 2012.

Leader of Bucks County Council Martin Tett hailed Cllr Ditta as a “highly respected and dedicated” member of the Wycombe community.

He said: “He was a valued and conscientious member of the county council.

“He held a number of posts here during his 13 years of service, fulfilling them with dignity and good humour.

“He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, across all parties, and our thoughts and condolences go out to his friends and family at this very sad time.”

Did you know Cllr Ditta? Send your tributes to jasmine.rapson@newsquest.co.uk or call 01494 755091