TRIBUTES have been paid to a former mayor of Malvern and district councillor who died just before Christmas.

Ralph Madden served two terms as the mayor in 2004-5 and 2005-6, and also spent some years on Malvern Hills District Council, serving as deputy leader and then as leader.

He was also a member of the board of Malvern Hills Conservators and of the board of trustees as Malvern Theatres.

Talking to the Malvern Gazette in 2009, when he relinquished the district council leader's post, he said he was proud of the refurbishment of the Priory Park bandstand, the council's property disposal programme, and the budget efficiency programme that improved the council's finances.

Cllr Phil Grove, who took over as leader form Cllr Madden said: “I got to know Ralph well during my first period as leader as he was my portfolio holder for finance.

"His experience of the world of business helped bring a new culture to the council and a business ethic and made a significant contribution in putting the council on a firm financial footing.

"He was a good community servant, both to his constituents in Priory Ward, and to the district as a whole including serving on the board of Malvern Theatres. He will be sadly missed by his friends at the council and our thoughts are with his wife Hazel and his family.”

Paul Tuthill, who served alongside Mr Madden on Malvern Town Council and the district council, said: "He was quite demanding in what he expected from people, but he was very good to work with.

"On the town council, he played an important part on getting the precept down, getting rid of the debt and making it into a sensible authority again.

"He worked very hard on Malvern's new community hospital as well.

"He was an accountant by background, working I think for British Leland in Oxford and then for GKN, and his business experience and financial expertise stood him in good stead in his work in Malvern.

"He was very much respected and he will be greatly missed."