Tributes have been paid to a veteran councillor who has died.

Dave Purssord, of Leysdown Parish Council, passed away suddenly yesterday, aged 80.

Those who knew him say he will be remembered for his love for Leysdown.

Cllr Purssord, who had been a parish councillor for more than 30 years, will also be well-known for the ‘Big Man’, which stands just outside his business, the Bay View Garden Centre, in Leysdown Road, and has been popular with residents and tourists for many years.

The huge figure, which has also been known as the Leysdown Giant, was transformed into his latest look earlier this year to celebrate the NHS by wearing scrubs and full PPE.

Malcolm Pamplin, chair of the parish council, said: "Dave was always saying there's only one Leysdown, and there will only ever be one Dave.

"He loved our Island and especially Leysdown. Everything he did, he did for Leysdown and we are really, really going to miss him. It's such a terrible shame."

Fellow councillor and friend Geoff Partis added: "Leysdown is going to miss Dave. He has been Mr Leysdown for so many years.

"It was an honour to know the man and be a friend of his."

Cllr Purssord was first elected in 1987 and had been a member since. During his time as a councillor, he campaigned for a primary school to be built in eastern Sheppey, fought to keep a hospital on the Island when the old Sheppey General Hospital was knocked down and lobbied to keep the doctors' surgeries at the east end of the Island, to name but a few campaigns.

He, along with his late wife Teresa, were also Leysdown Carnival committee members for a number of years.

Cllr Partis said: "Anything in Leysdown, Dave was involved with and he always donated raffle prizes for all sorts of causes.

"Leysdown was a better place for Dave Purssord."

"He was a lovely man, he cared about others and he was very generous. He would do anything to help anybody.

"Leysdown was a better place for Dave Purssord."

Tributes have been pouring in on Facebook today.

Leysdown Parish Council said: "Very sad to say that long-serving Cllr Dave Purssord passed away yesterday. A true Leysdown icon. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Leysdown Football Club said: "In light of the tragic news of Dave Purssord passing, we will be placing a memorial plaque and renaming the changing facilities.

"Dave was part of a small but dedicated team that got that project over the line when it seemed impossible. He was involved from day one and backed us unconditionally.

"Without Dave, players and officials would be getting changed behind wind breaks or in their cars. His picture hangs proud in our hall. God rest you Dave, you left a legacy."

Mary Culver, secretary of Leysdown Events Organisation, also paid tribute to Cllr Purssord, "our Minion man and true Leysdown Giant".

"A huge part of Leysdown is missing," she said. "Our sincere condolences to Dave's family and friends. Rest in peace Dave."

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey