Tributes have been paid to the deputy mayor of Workington after his death due to illness.

David King, of Stainburn, died on Tuesday.

He leaves his wife Janet, mayor of Workington.

Fellow councillor Carole Armstrong said: “David was a big asset the to council. He has been fantastic, he did a lot for me and he worked a lot behind the scenes.

“He was a very giving person, he will be greatly missed.”

Workington Town Council announced the death of Mr King yesterday.

A spokesman for the authority said: “The council extends its deepest sympathies to Councillor King’s family, and particularly to his wife, Janet.

“Janet continues in her role as Mayor of Workington, supported by Councillor Herbert Briggs as consort, until May 2021.”

Mr King joined the council in May 2019 and was appointed deputy mayor at the annual meeting which followed.

Ms Armstrong said: “I will always remember when David was asked to be deputy mayor when he’d just come into office.

“He always wanted to be on the council, to get elected and to be asked to be the deputy mayor was on of the highlights for him.”

She added that Mr King would not have been able to fulfil the role of mayor due to his ongoing illness..

Ms Armstrong said: “Had he not been ill, he would have played a big part. He was so pleased to be the deputy and support Janet. He had his problems in the past, but he managed to overcome those.”

The town council said: “David’s illness prevented him from taking the leading role in the council that he had hoped for, but he brought his distinctive approach to life to council meetings, where his contribution was always valued.

“His term of office was extended by the coronavirus crisis, being extended to May 2021 at the first virtual meeting of the full council in July.”

Funeral arrangements will be subject to Covid-19 restrictions.