TRIBUTES have been paid to a former council leader who served the people of York and North Yorkshire with distinction for more than three decades.

John Clout, who has died from cancer aged 83, was described by one ex-colleague as "one of the best leaders" the county had ever had.

Mr Clout sat on the old York City Council from 1973 to 1996, and North Yorkshire County Council from 1964 to 1996, leading the latter for many years.

His devotion to council work was rewarded in 1988, when he was awarded a CBE. Fellow Conservative John Galvin said: "He was an excellent leader. He did an awful lot of good for York and the county."

Mr Galvin said Mr Clout was "very highly respected in the political world of York and North Yorkshire" and said that when he himself led York's Conservative group, he often turned to Mr Clout for advice.

Mr Clout, who died ten weeks after being diagnosed with cancer, is survived by his widow, Frances, children Anthony, Dominic and Denise, and seven grandchildren. Dominic said: "When I asked him before he died what his biggest achievement was, he said it was getting rid of the 11-Plus in York. It was a hell of a battle, but he did not believe in the 11-Plus and discrimination at that age. That's what he thought his biggest achievement was, though I don't know if others will say that."

Away from politics, Mr Clout owned the John Graham betting shops in York from the 1960s to 1980s, and was also a racehorse owner.

Dominic said: "What he learned in horse racing, I think he put into politics - taking risks and sticking by your bets."

Mr Clout's funeral will be at 9.30am on Friday at English Martyrs' Church, in Dalton Terrace, York.