Tributes have been paid to a “much-loved” former mayor and Labour councillor.

Steve Worrall, who represented Sheerness for a number of years, died on Tuesday (September 17). He was 95.

He was born in Yorkshire and spent most of his younger years in Suffolk before moving to Sheppey in 1947 to work for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Mr Worrall used to run the Red Lion pub in Blue Town with friend Therese Davies.

He represented Sheerness West as a Labour councillor after first being elected in 1973, although the boundaries subsequently changed, until 2015.

Between 2010 and 2011, he served as the Mayor of Swale, taking over from Cllr Adrian Crowther.

At the time, he told KentOnline he was surprised at himself for his decision to go for the position because it had not always been one of his ambitions.

"I was very pleased at the response I got from members and feel very proud that they elected me. I feel honoured and humbled,” he said.

He was also a trustee of the Island Partnership in Trinity Road and the Freedom Centre in St George's Avenue.

Members of the Sittingbourne and Sheppey Labour Party have paid tribute to the long-serving councillor.

His ward colleague, Cllr Angela Harrison, said: “Steve helped many individuals during his time on the Island and in Sheerness, but a lasting tribute is the footbridge across the railway line at West Minster which his sheer grit, determination and perseverance achieved for residents.”

Mr Worrall was well-known for his combative championing of the Island and Sheerness in particular.

He previously questioned the authority for spending more than £6,000 on a new “Welcome to Sheppey” sign.

Long-awaited repair work to Sheerness High Street was completed after Cllr Worrall and Cllr Harrison called for something to be done due to problems with flooding.

In 2014, he accused the council of being “heartless” for increasing the price of seafront memorial benches.

Leader Cllr Tim Gibson has confirmed the flag at Swale House will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.

He added: “Steve was a typical old school councillor, always there to support his residents and never reticent in speaking out and championing their cause.

“He will be sorely missed by those who knew him, particularly his friends in the Labour Party."

Former MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Derek Wyatt, said: “Steve came from a small fishing village on the east coast of Suffolk called Sizewell, now known for its nuclear power stations.

“He knew it as it was. It had a profound impact on him as it was a tight community where everyone knew everyone, much like Sheerness and especially Blue Town where for ages he ran the Red Lion.

“He was much-loved as a Labour councillor over many years for the time he spent helping neighbours to right wrongs.

“He was a dear friend to me and we had many laughs.

“They don’t build them like Steve any more. He was a one-off.”

Former Swale council leader, Roger Truelove, added: “I remember campaigning for Derek in a general election and the number of people who assured us in Sheerness that they would vote Labour because of Steve Worrall.

“In the council chamber, Steve stood out because of his vehement opposition to the Conservative administration and yet in his year as mayor he was a model of fairness and diplomacy; a man for all seasons.”

Leader of the Swale Independent Alliance Group, Cllr Mike Baldock, posted his tribute on social media.

“Steve was a real gentleman and real old school,” he said.

“I always remember his words of wisdom when I was in the Labour Party meetings back in the ‘00s and fully agreeing with him!

“A really nice bloke who didn’t mince his words and always ready for a quick quip or comment.

“You knew where you stood with Steve and it was worth staying on his good side!”

Former MP Gordon Henderson has also paid tribute, saying: “Steve was an old-fashioned socialist and I am a life-long Conservative, and yet we formed an unlikely, but enduring friendship, based on respect. We both understood the importance of putting people before politics.

“Despite what some people think, Steve did not dislike his political opponents in principle, rather he disliked politicians of all parties who had no principles.

“I remember when Steve was Mayor, he was presenting to somebody a bottle of wine I’d had signed by Prime Minister David Cameron. Steve turned to me and asked with a twinkle in his eye why I had never done the same for him.

“I asked if he really wanted a bottle signed by Cameron and he said ‘Of course not’. Do you want one signed by Ed Milliband? I asked. ‘You must be joking,’ Steve replied. ‘Well, who then?’ I asked. His answer was: ‘Dennis Skinner, he’s a real man of principle!’

“That exchange summed up Steve. Many of today’s crop of politicians, of all parties, could learn a lot from him. Swale, and in particular Sheerness, will be a poorer place without him. Rest in peace, my friend.”

His funeral will take place on Monday, October 7 at the Garden of England Crematorium in Bobbing.

His journey there will take him through Sheerness High Street from around 11.15am and onto Blue Town High Street for those wishing to pay their respects.