Tributes have been paid to a long-serving Worthing magistrate and councillor who died after a stroke.

David Marchant, 67, of Arlington Avenue, Worthing, was described by his wife, Gillian, as a devoted family man.

She said: "He was a superb husband and devoted father and grandfather.

"He loved to be involved in things. He was not the sort of person to sit on the sidelines."

Mrs Marchant said the couple would have celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary at the end of this month.

Mr Marchant, who represented Goring ward on Worthing Borough Council, suffered a stroke on Saturday while the couple were returning from a day out in Surrey.

He died in Worthing Hospital.

Council leader Sheila Player said the Tory councillor would be missed by members of all political parties.

She said: "He was a lovely man who was well respected and will be missed.

"He was a hard working and very dedicated councillor who took his job on the council very seriously."

Mr Marchant worked for Barclays Bank in London before taking early retirement 14 years ago.

He was elected as a councillor for Goring ward in May last year.

He was involved in numerous local charities and was a special constable before becoming a magistrate.

He rose to become chairman of the Worthing bench for several years.

Mr Marchant's funeral is expected to be held early next week.