A HEREFORDSHIRE councillor and the owner of one of Herefordshire’s most well-known independent shops has died aged 82.

Gordon Lucas, a Conservative town and county councillor and former Ross-on-Wye mayor, ran Lucas Motorcycles in Ross for 50 years having started his career in the motor industry at Alfred Kear’s shop in Hereford.

Following his death last Saturday he was described as “one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet”.

A minute’s silence was held before Monday’s cabinet meeting at Herefordshire Council’s Brockington headquarters.

“He was loved by everyone who knew him in Ross," said fellow member for Ross, Councillor Andrew Atkinson.

"He worked tirelessly for the town including tending the churchyard at St Mary’s which he used to do at 6am every morning.”

He is survived by wife Margaret, son Neil and daughter Gail.

Jesse Norman MP also paid tribute, desribing Mr Lucas as "a great councillor, a great friend, and a great man.”

To donate to the memorial fund email Coun Atkinson on aatkinson@herefordshire.gov.uk or Coun Phil Cutter on pcutter@herefordshire.gov.uk.