TRIBUTES were paid this week to Percy 'Pip' Jones, who was one of the county's most influential political figures for many years, and has died aged 85.

A member of the former Tenbury Wells rural district, he became the first chairman of Leominster District Council when it was created in 1973 and also served as a county councillor.

Mr Jones, who was born at Stoke Bliss where he is to be buried tomorrow (Friday), was a Conservative and was no stranger to controversy.

He served on Leominster District Council throughout the authority's life and became chairman for a second time in 1983. He led a Tory-Independent alliance, the Progressives, which took control.

Another former chairman and founder member, George Bray of Leominster, described Mr Jones as "very much a political animal," adding: "He was good colleague and a fair man."

Mike Harrison, a close friend and a former fellow batsman in Tenbury Cricket Club, is to give the eulogy.

"Pip was born and bred in this community and he was a man dedicated to the welfare of the community," said Mr Harrison.

A member of the Territorials at the outbreak of the Second World War, Mr Jones was evacuated at Dunkirk, fought in Montgomery's North Africa campaign and the Monte Cassino bloodbath.

He returned to the family farm and became first secretary of the re-established Stoke Bliss and District Agricultural Improvement Society.

He wore many "hats": a churchwarden at Stoke Bliss, chairing the Governors of Tenbury High School, membership of the former Severn Trent Water Authority and regional representative on the West Midlands Sports Council.

He was one of the prime movers in establishing Leominster Leisure Centre on a site by the Minster College.

Sport remained a passion. He continued to play club cricket well into mid life, having also played soccer in his youth.

Pip Jones, who died on November 16, greatly missed his wife Christine following her death two years ago.

He is survived by sons Jeff, a schools inspector and Roger, a Ludlow businessmen, and their families.