Colleagues from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Wantage's well known councillor, Jim Moley, who died suddenly at the age of 70.

He was found dead in his bed last Friday evening, at his house in The Cloisters, Wantage.

Friends, supporters and political rivals have remembered Mr Moley, a Liberal Democrat, as utterly devoted to the town.

Wantage Town Mayor Lorraine Todd said: "I was frequently asking his advice. He always made time for me, no matter how busy he was.

"He lived and breathed Wantage and worked so hard for the community. He was a real inspiration to me."

Fellow councillor and close friend Jenny Hannaby said Mr Moley was at the forefront of all local issues.

Mr Moley was a Wantage town councillor for 25 years and he represented the town as mayor in 1988, 1996 and 1997.

A Grove and Wantage county councillor, he was elected to Oxfordshire County Council in 1997 having been a member of the Vale of White Horse District Council since 1991.

He took early retirement from the civil service to commit himself full-time to Wantage.

Mr Moley served in the Royal Air Force during the war, ending his service in 1960. He was based in Cyprus during the EOKA (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) campaign where he won the General Service Medal.

A graduate of Oxford University, Mr Moley went on to get a Master's degree in Industrial Relations at London School of Economics before becoming a customs inspector and civil servant.

He was president of Wantage Silver Band, founder chairman of the Wantage Summer Festival and involved with organising the Wantage Arts Festival. He also supported the Community Hospital, the Vale and Downland Museum, the Scouts and the Dickensian committee.

He was a governor of King Alfred's School and Charlton Primary School.

Eleanor Turner, chairman of Wantage Silver Band, said: "Many a time when playing carols on a cold and damp winter evening, Jim would turn up on his bike and help with the collecting. On Christmas Eve, complete in top hat and full gentleman's dress, he accompanied a group carol playing at various country pubs until after midnight and later on Christmas Day as Town Crier, he led the Band and singers around the Town."

Councillor Zoe Patrick, the leader of the opposition at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Jim was part and parcel of life in Wantage and very proud of the town. He simply wanted the best for the town he loved.

"His contribution was immense. He was a tireless worker and was involved with a number of local voluntary and community groups. All of us will sorely miss him."