TRIBUTES have been paid to Cockermouth community stalwart and family man Sam Standage, 74, who died last week.

Long-serving town councillor Mr Standage set a new record in 2016 when he was voted in as Mayor of Cockermouth for the fourth time.

He was also mayor of Allerdale Council from 2004 to 2005 and was part of the town's Rotary club for 22 years.

His wife, Hilary, said: "He loved Cockermouth and lived and breathed helping people and being involved.

"He loved meeting new people and doing what he could for the town and community."

Mr Standage grew up in Brigham Road, just round the corner from the home in which he spent his final years.

His father, Sam, was a joiner and undertaker and one of 14 children whose parents ran The Bush, on Main Street.

Mr Standage had two sons, John and Paul, and grandsons Lennon and Samuel.

After leaving school he joined Twinames (later Persimmon Homes) in Brigham, where he trained as a quantity surveyor and worked until he was 65.

He joined the town council 28 years ago and later went on to become a borough councillor. He was with Allerdale for 16 years, until 2015.

"He really enjoyed being involved with everything in town, from the twinning to the visits from the Chernobyl children," said Mrs Standage, deputy manager at Cockermouth After School Scheme.

"He also campaigned for the police station to be kept in town."

The couple used to be heavily involved in decorating carnival floats and helping put up the town's Christmas lights.

"I remember one year Sam brought back a huge load of lights so he could test them all, the living room was full of them!" said Mrs Standage.

"We all had a lot of fun doing the floats at the old Town Hall depot."

He enjoyed his time with Rotary. "He liked the fundraising and friendships," said Mrs Standage.

Every year the couple would visit their sons and families. John lives in Texas and Paul in Vancouver.

"Family always came first. He was very protective of them and his friends - although he loved winding people up!" said Mrs Standage.

Cockermouth mayor David Malloy said: "The loss of Sam will leave a massive void. He was a committed Cockermouthian who always had the town's interests at heart.

"He will be sorely missed by all his fellow councillors as his experience and support was invaluable."

Fellow town councillor Eric Nicholson said: "Sam was a popular and friendly member of the Town Council and it soon became apparent that any decisions he took were made with a great deal of common sense and solely on behalf of the people he represented, he worked hard to that endeavor. He was a great supporter of the twinning with Marvejols and many friendships were made as a result.

"Sam will be missed by many for a long time to come."

Rotary president Joe Fagan said: "Sam had Cockermouth right through him. He was hard and fast in his views and thoughts.

"He was a very very good Rotarian, a regular supporter with the principles of Rotary at heart."

Mr Standage's funeral will take place in Christ Church at 10.30am today, February 1. It will be followed by a private family interment.