ISLE of Wight Council leader, Dave Stewart, has paid tribute to Cllr Adrian Axford following his "sudden and unexpected death".

Cllr Axford was a serving member of the Isle of Wight Council, Ryde Town Council and The Ryde Society.

He also worked with a number of charities in Ryde, including the Phoenix Project, and together with his wife, Anne, was a member of the IW Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

At a cabinet meeting this afternoon (Thursday), Cllr Stewart said: "It is with great sadness that I today inform members of the sudden and unexpected death of Cllr Adrian Axford.

"Members will know he was recovering from a stroke, and I understand he was taken ill during the night and passed away in his sleep.

"On behalf of all members, I am sure anybody who has had any dealing with Adrian will know this is a sad loss of someone who has been a councillor locally, and also for the Isle of Wight Council for some time.

"He has given so much to his community and he will be sadly missed."

Cllr Stewart asked everyone in the meeting to hold a minute's silence in respect of Cllr Axford.