Tributes have been paid to a great-grandfather and community stalwart who has died aged 88.

Keiron Boylan served as chairman of Braintree Council, mayor of Witham and as a councillor for almost 30 years.

He was also a retained firefighter in the town.

Irishman Mr Boylan, who was a Labour councillor between 1979 and 2007, died tragically on St Patrick’s Day.

His daughter Kathie Tearle, who also served as chairman of Braintree Council, has paid tribute to him.

She said: “He died on St Patrick’s Day, it was so apt.

“We moved here in 1960 and he was very much part of the Labour Party and raised money for the Labour Hall in Witham.

“He was first elected in 1979 and, with a three-year gap, served until 2007.

“He was very involved in Witham and served as mayor.

“He was also a retained firefighter in Witham for a long time, which back then meant when the bell rang you ran.”

Mr Boylan also leaves behind two sons - Shaun, 61, and Francis, 60 - as well as three grandchildren and one great grandchild, who referred to him as “big grandad.”

He was a member of Witham Lions and served as chairman of Braintree Council between 2002 and 2003 and as mayor of Witham in the same period.