TRIBUTES were paid to Bob Austin, the former boss of Cotswold District Council, who died last week at the age of 56.

Mr Austin, who served on the council for 17 years, including five years as chief executive, died on Thursday after battling a rare neurological disease for some time.

He was based at the Sue Ryder Hospice in Leckhampton and leaves behind his wife Trish, and three grown-up sons, Will, Tom and Jack.

CDC councillors paid tribute to Mr Austin at a meeting on Tuesday following a one-minute silence.

Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe said at the meeting: "He was very well-liked and a well-respected officer.

"One outstanding quality that I noted was his very professional approach and his very strong ability to lead. In so many ways it is such a sad end to what was such a fine career."

Mr Austin, who lived in Stratton, was behind many of the high profile projects at CDC including the transfer of housing stock to Fosseway, the building of the new leisure centre and the management of Stow Fair.

He left CDC last year and in his latter days, Mr Austin had also been working as a joint Chief Executive with Tewkesbury Borough Council Cllr Deryck Nash, (Chesterton, Lib Dem) said: "He was a very good community person and played an active role within the town most noticeable as governor of Cirencester College."

Cllr Peter Martin, (Tetbury, Ind) paid tribute to Mr Austin's sense of humour and his capacity to remember even the smallest details.

"The thing that will probably stick with me the most is he managed to inspire his staff. We as a council find ourselves in strained times, the fact that we are still very much together is a testament to all the work Bob put in."

He had previously worked for Kennet District Council, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and Dorset County Council in accountancy and audit roles.

Mr Austin's family are planning a memorial service in celebration of his life which will take place in the next four to six weeks.

The service will be in support of the Sue Ryder Care Hospice.