Tributes were today paid to a “great servant to the people of Shropshire” who has died at the age of 77.

George Raxster of St Georges, Telford – a former chairman of Shropshire County Council – died on Tuesday.

He served as county councillor for the Priorslee division from 1985 to 1998, and was chairman of the council from 1993 to 1998 when reorganisation saw Telford & Wrekin split to become a unitary authority.

Mr Raxster also served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Shropshire, and as chairman of the West Mercia Police Authority.

He was awarded the OBE in 1998 for services to local government and to the community in Shropshire.

Mr Raxster taught for more than 30 years and was chairman of the county’s education committee.

He also served as governor of a number of educational establishments, including Telford College of Arts and Technology, New College at Telford, Walford College of Agriculture, St Georges CE Primary School, Teagues Bridge Junior School, and Adams’ Grammar School, Newport.

Brian Gillow, current Shropshire County Council chairman, said he was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Mr Raxster.

“He was a great servant to the people of Shropshire,” he said.

Former council chairman Major Adrian Coles MBE, added: “He was a man much respected by his peers and a genuinely very nice fellow.”

Mr Raxster leaves a wife, Vera, and a son, Jonathan.