Tributes have been paid to a Barrow borough stalwart and former council leader.

Jack Richardson, who was a long-serving Conservative borough and county councillor, passed away last night.

Former Barrow councillor Ray Guselli, wrote on social media: "It is with great sadness that I have to advise friends that Jack Richardson, former councillor, Leader of Barrow Council, Cumbria County Council and housing manager for the borough council sadly passed away last night at 6.45pm.

"Having stood with Jack for some years I hope others may remember him as I do, as one of the hardest working and most committed councillors we have had.

"Whether you agreed or not with his politics, no one could have worked harder to help others, bring about change and try to improve things for so many."

Mr Guselli added: "An immensely sad day for his family and friends."

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: "Barrow has lost one of its most dedicated local government greats with the passing of Jack Richardson and my thoughts are with Shirley, his family and friends.

“For years until his health began seriously to fail, Jack was by some considerable margin Labour's most incisive opponent on the local scene. "Whenever anyone saw his name in the local press, they knew they were in for a pasting that would always hit home.

“It was a mark of this Barrow patriot that he continued to drag himself to the chamber to have his say even when his health was very poor. I hope Barrow Borough Council will be able to find a fitting way to commemorate his long service to our borough.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: "It is sad news indeed about Cllr Jack Richardson. He was a well respected local politician who has served the people of Cumbria tirelessly over many years. As well as being a county councillor he was also the former leader of Barrow Borough Council. "He always worked hard to change things for the better and always stood up for what he believed in. Our thoughts are with his family at this time."