TRIBUTES have been paid to a councillor after he died unexpectedly.

Hastings Borough Council has announced the death of Cllr John Hodges who was elected in May 2010 and was due to stand until 2018.

The Hastings Old Town councillor was chairman of the council’s charity committee and vice-chairman of the museums committee.

It is the second blow to befall the council in the past 12 months following the death of then leader Jeremy Birch who died in May.

The 70-year-old Hastings-born father and husband has also been an East Sussex County councillor since 2013 and served as chairman of the Foreshore Trust and trustee of youth charity Xtrax.

Councillor Peter Chowney, leader Hastings Borough Council said: “We were very sad indeed to learn of the death of Councillor John Hodges earlier today, a true friend and colleague.

“This is the second time within a year that a senior councillor has passed and clearly we are greatly saddened.

“Our thoughts are with his family and many friends in the town and we would ask that the family’s privacy is respected.”

Becky Shaw, East Sussex County Council chief executive, said: “Cllr Hodges was a respected member of the council and someone who was passionate about Hastings and worked hard to represent his constituents.

“Officers and councillors alike are shocked and saddened by his death, and on behalf of everyone at the council I’d like to send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”