HUNDREDS of mourners paid their respects to "larger than life" West Wycombe parish councillor Michael Gerrard, who died after a sudden short illness.

Cllr Gerrard, 63, who died on Thursday, June 30, had lived in the village since 1945 and had been a member of the council for 18 years.

His funeral was held at St Lawrence Church, West Wycombe, on Friday, July 8.

Tributes were given by his wife, Judith, a past teaching colleague, and friends from High Wycombe Hockey Club and West Wycombe Cricket Club. A close friend also read a poem at the service.

Judith said: "He had a wicked sense of humour and was renowned in the village for his bizarre antics, he had the wonderful ability to create a great deal of laughter and fun. He has taken so much with him."

Vicki Smith, parish council chairman, said: "He was one of life's very special people, whose love and historical knowledge for the area where he lived was very much valued. He had a larger than life character and he will be greatly missed. Parish council meetings will never be quite the same."

In his youth he attended West Wycombe Primary Sch-ool before going on to the Royal Grammar School.

He trained as a primary school teacher and then worked for many schools until his death.

A keen sportsman, Cllr Gerrard joined High Wycombe Hockey Club at school and remained a member for 45 years. He had also been a stalwart member of the West Wycombe Cricket Club.

He had recently been involved in the restoration and renovation of the Church Room clock and had written a leaflet and quiz for children to learn about it.

He leaves behind Judith, sons Richard and William, granddaughter Alice, step-children Toby and Hannah and a brother, David.