Tributes have been paid to a councillor who was ‘a man of the people’.

Councillor David Smart, who represented Hangleton and Knoll for Brighton and Hove City Council, died suddenly on Wednesday night.

The Conservative councillor was a popular figure in his ward and was renowned as a passionate promoter of city gardening and allotments.

Discussions have already been held to name an allotment site in his honour.

A minute’s silence was held before Thursday’s council cabinet meeting in memory of him after council leader Mary Mears read out a short statement informing councillors of councillor Smart’s death.

Councillor Mears passed her condolences to his family.

Coun Smart served the Knoll area where he had grown up after the former Hove police officer was elected to Brighton and Hove City Council in May 2007.

John Burns, chairman of Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation, said: “David will be sorely missed, there is no doubt about that.

“Whoever takes his place will have very big shoes to fill.

“Allotments were his big passion but he was very community minded, he was very involved in everything that went on.

“He was a man of the people.”

Leave your tributes to Councillor Smart below.