County councillor for Churchdown Jack Williams has died suddenly at the age of 28.

The Liberal Democrat councillor, who represented the Churchdown ward, Tewkesbury, at Gloucestershire County Council, died on Monday.

Councillor Williams has been a county councillor since 2016 after winning a by-election following the death of the area’s former councillor Bill Whelan.

It is not yet confirmed when a by-election will be held.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Paul Hodgkinson (Northleach and Bourton-on-the-Water), told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that at 28-years-old “Jack had achieved a huge amount”.

He said: “We are devastated by the loss and find it difficult to take in what has happened. Jack was one of the youngest members of the council and universally liked across the chamber.

“He was an impassioned councillor who cared deeply for Churchdown and for the county’s most vulnerable, working on the Children and Families committee, helping to oversee the improvements to Gloucestershire’s children’s services.

“We can only begin to imagine the loss being felt by his family and friends, to whom we send our greatest condolences.”

Writing on Twitter, Liberal Democrat councillor for Cirencester Park, Joe Harris, said: “Devastated to learn yesterday that my friend and colleague Cllr Jack Williams sadly passed away.

“A diligent County Councillor for Churchdown his community, @GlosCC and the @LibDems family will all be poorer for having lost him. All our thoughts are with Lizzi and his children.”

Gloucestershire County Council and Churchdown Parish Council have been contacted for comment.

Councillor Williams is survived by wife Lizzi and two children.