Tributes have been paid to the former mayor of Workington and Allerdale, Bill Bacon, who has died at the age of 80. 

Councillor Bacon helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity over the years. 

His wife Valerie said: "He was a loving caring man who always put others before himself. He was always there for everybody." 

Len Davies, Mayor of Allerdale, said: “I’m deeply saddened at the loss of my good friend and colleague. Bill was a true servant to the community, who felt immensely proud and privileged to be Mayor and Deputy Mayor – and he served with true dedication. 

"The nature reserve will be a wonderful legacy of all his hard work. 

"A modest man – I only found out by chance that he had a bravery award from his time in the fire service - he had a wicked sense of humour and could brighten any room. 

"I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to work so close with him and my thoughts are with his family.” 

Mr Bacon was born, and grew up, in Camerton. After leaving school he worked at Clifton and Solway Collieries before joining the fire service where he worked for over 30 years. 

When he retired from there he joined the probation service before becoming an usher at Workington magistrates court. 

He was first elected to Allerdale Borough Council in 2007, representing Moss Bay Ward as a Labour councillor. He was mayor in 2013/14.

, when he joined the celebrations for the Rugby League World Cup on its visit to Workington, and was proud to establish a parade to mark 100 years since the commencement of the First World War. As Mayor he also played host to Prince Charles and the Duke of Gloucester when they visited the area. 

In previous years he was proud to have met Her Majesty the Queen during her visit to the pencil factory in Lillyhall. 

Bill loved the outdoors, going fell walking when he had the time, and working to protect wildlife. 

He was the Chairman of the Friends of Siddick Pond.

and had tremendous passion for the site and its wildlife, always keeping Council officers on their toes to ensure they met their obligations in caring for this wonderful nature reserve. 

At Bill’s suggestion, the Council and the Friends recently collaborated to submit an application to the Cumbria Community Foundation for a £15,000 grant from the Robin Rigg Community Fund. 

In early January this year, to Bill’s delight, the bid got the go ahead. This will mean improvements to the conservation interest of the site and visitor facilities, including a new exhibition about the reserve in the bird hide, and new seats at viewing points overlooking the pond. 

Bill was absolutely thrilled at this news and was looking forward to seeing the results with his usual enthusiasm. 

His time in office raised money for charities including Aspatria Dreamscheme, Cockermouth Swimming Club, Allerdale Citizens Advice Bureau, Rape Crisis West Cumbria, Wigton Rugby Union FC and First Responders in Workington and Silloth. 

Councillor Bacon was also Deputy Mayor for three years. 

He helped to organise the tallest bonfire in the world for Children in Need in 1993 which made it into the Guinness Book of Records.