Council stalwart dies at 61

A veteran Wolverhampton Labour councillor has died at the age of 61.

Les Turner, who has represented Heath Town since 1994 and was one of the longest-serving figures at the Civic Centre, died last night. He suffered a stroke last Wednesday and a heart attack the following morning while in critical care at New Cross Hospital.

Councillor Turner leaves wife Margaret and two grown-up daughters .

Former Heath Town councillor Milkinder Jaspal said today: "Les was one of the most honest, straightforward guys you could ever wish to meet and will be greatly missed."

Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of the Labour group, said: "Over the 14 years he was in our group he was a major contributor.

"He had a dry sense of humour and was very well-liked. It's a sad day."

Councillor Neville Patten, leader of the city council, said: "Les was honest, fair and good to get on with."

Mr Turner was shadow cabinet member for neighbourhoods and community safety, chair of governors at Dovecotes Primary School in Pendeford, and sat on almost every council scrutiny body over the years.

He used to work at the Ever Ready factory in Horseley Fields.