Tributes to former mayor

Tributes have been paid to a former Oswestry mayor who has died following a long illness.

Councillor Richard Burman, from Porthywaen, died on Sunday, aged 77.

Colleagues today said he was a man of great dignity. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2006 when undergoing scans prior to a triple heart bypass. His consultant recommended the lung cancer drug Tarceva, used in Scotland.

But Mr Burman was told it could not be prescribed in England or Wales because it has not been approved by the licensing body, NICE.

His plight was raised in the House of Commons and he was given the life-prolonging drug last April.

Despite his ill health he continued his council duties and, as cabinet member for housing, played a main role in last year's consultation of the future of council housing.

David G Lloyd, leader of Oswestry Borough Council, said: "It was a great shock to hear of the passing of Richard Burman who despite his ill health had soldiered on with grit, determination and dedication to fulfil his role as a member of the borough council and its cabinet."

Mr Burman was first elected to represent the Sweeney and Trefonen ward in 2003 and his wife joined him as a member of the council when elected as a member of the Castle ward at a by-election in 2005. He was mayor in 2005/2006.