Council chiefs held a minute’s silence in memory of a former Watford Labour Leader who died following an illness.

Councillors paused to remember Geoff O’Connell at Watford Borough Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday night.

Mr O’Connell, who died on November 1 at Watford General Hospital at the age of 76, was a borough councillor between 1999 and 2006.

He went on to become the Labour group leader and co-ordinated Claire Ward’s successful parliamentary campaign in 2005.

Current Labour Group Leader Councillor Nigel Bell led the tributes to the grandfather of two.

He said: "He was a hard working and conscientious councillor, well known by residents for taking up issues and seeing them through to resolution, not just in Meriden and Woodside where he lived, but across Watford.

"After 2010 [following his work with Ms Ward] he was able to devote more time to his grandchildren and family, but continued to work hard for the community with his involvement with Age UK and the Watford Council Housing Trust.

"I will remember Geoff for being an honest, diligent and trusted friend and colleague, who served his residents in Meriden as well as others across the town with distinction."

Mr O’Connell was a former journalist, who as one stage worked for the News at Ten, before he turned his hand to teaching.

His funeral was held at the West Herts Crematorium on Wednesday. 

Liberal Democrat Cllr Iain Sharpe told the meeting: "We were very sad hear about the death of Geoff - it was a bolt out of the blue.

"Geoff was a forceful presence and we had several sharp exchanges in this chamber, yet I found you couldn’t help but warm to him.

"He took his politics seriously but he didn’t take himself too seriously.  He was friendly, dedicated and a forceful leader of the opposition. 

"Our condolences are with his family and political colleagues."