TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving councillor who has died after a short illness.

Garry Peltzer Dunn died at hospital yesterday surrounded by his family at the age of 79.

He served as a councillor in Hove for 50 years, standing for the Conservatives in 15 consecutive local elections between 1971 and 2019, first on Hove Borough Council and later Brighton and Hove City Council.

He also served as leader of Hove Borough Council between 1987 and 1991 and Mayor of the city in 2008.

A spokesman for the Brighton and Hove Conservative group said that Cllr Peltzer Dunn was “highly respected and much loved by his colleagues”.

He said: “His loss will be felt by the many people who came to know him right across the city.

“He was known as a true gentleman by all who came to know him.

“The thoughts of everyone are with Garry’s family at this time.”