TRIBUTES have flooded in following the death of former Colchester mayor and veteran councillor Martin Hunt.

Mr Hunt served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for 28 years and was a distinctive figure in the council chamber not least for his towering 6ft 5in frame.

During his political career, he chaired several committees including arts and leisure which oversaw the building of Leisure World.

Mr Hunt was first elected to Colchester Council in 1983 when he won he Prettygate seat and he was the ward's councillor for 17 years becoming Colchester mayor in 1999-2000.

However, as the mayoralty is a non-political role, he did not canvass for re-election and lost his seat.

In 2003, he was elected to represent the Christ Church ward and served it until standing down in May.

While on the council he was deputy leader for six years before taking over as leader in May 2014 until May this year.

In his professional life, Mr Hunt was a journalist starting his career on the Southend Standard, joining Essex County Newspapers as a Chelmsford Crown Court reporter five years later.

It was when the then editor of the Essex County Standard, Quenton Winch decided to bring him into the office, he moved to Colchester.

Mr Hunt went on to become sports editor for the Gazette before working in the Essex County Newspaper's central publishing unit.

Mr Hunt was devoted to his wife, Rita, and the couple's twin daughters, Laura and Caroline, and granddaughter Deanna.

Mr Hunt was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

Rita, Laura and Caroline went to Colchester Town Hall when Mr Hunt was made an alderman but was too ill to attend the ceremony.

He died today.

Lyn Barton, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Colchester Council, said: "He was an amazing person who gave so much help to so many people.

"We in the Lib Dem group have lost a very special person."

Former Colchester Council leader Anne Turrell said: "A wonderful man. I am so happy to have known him."

Former council colleague Nick Barlow said: "He was a great source of wisdom and advice to all of us on the council and it was obvious how much he loved all his family."