Tributes have been paid to a former Cirencester Parish Church warden and much loved community man who died last month after a sudden illness.

Keith Brown, 59, of Coxwell Street in Cirencester moved to the area from London just over 10 years ago after retiring from a career in banking and quickly established himself as a pillar of the local community.

On becoming a church warden at the Parish Church he was quickly nicknamed the ‘royal ambassador’ after successfully assisting with the organisation of a number Royal visits including the Royal Agricultural University’s convocation attended by the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne’s visit to Cirencester Parish Church in 2015.

Keith was also an active member of Abbey 900 and played a key role in organising Cirencester’s remembrance Sunday commemorations.

A service of remembrance is being held at Cirencester Parish Church on Tuesday, June 4 at 1.30pm.

Leader of Cotswold District Council and close friend Cllr Joe Harris said: “Keith really was a larger than life character, whether you knew him well or would just stop to chat with him in the street, a huge hole has been left in our community having lost him.

“During his short time in Cirencester he drove positive change within our community and one of his lasting legacies will be his instrumental role in involving the Royal Agricultural University in the affairs of the town and in particular securing their graduation ceremony at the Parish Church which really is a landmark event.

“Keith was also a fantastic friend to many in the town and relished bring people together for a coffee, a drink or dinner party.

"You’d often spot him in Cote, Made by Bob or Jesse’s Bistro entertaining friends and quite often he was on first name terms with most of the staff!

"He was a source of great strength during my time as Mayor of Cirencester and we hope to see many of his friends and people that knew him at his memorial service.”