Family, friends and former colleagues have paid their respects to Stan Taylor, former leader of Oxford City Council, who has died aged 68.

Mr Taylor had two stints with the city council, serving as a Labour councillor between 1991 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2004.

He served three wards during his time in local government, including Iffley, Temple Cowley and Cowley Marsh and was leader of the council between May 1996 and September 1998.

One of his biggest achievements in his time on Oxford City Council was setting up the Certificate of Honour.

An annual award first given out in 1998, it is presented to volunteers who carry out a variety of activities for the community, such as fundraising or maintaining churchyards.

During his time on the council Mr Taylor was heavily involved in environmental health and highways and traffic, sitting on committees for both.

His niece Joanne Taylor said: "I always knew there was a big part of Stan's life that I didn't really know much about.

"Since he passed away I have been shocked to learn about all the things he was involved in. He was a lovely, kind man and everyone cared about him very much."

City council officer Jude Skipp said: "Stan was a lovely chap, always friendly with people and very approachable.

"Because of his involvement with the council for so long, so many people knew him and would always get invited to various events."

Mr Taylor lived for many years in Oxford Road, Cowley. He never married or had children.

In 1997 he was responsible for writing a history of the town hall for a centenary booklet published for the occasion.

His good friend John Aldridge said Mr Taylor would be deeply missed. He said: "He was such a loving, caring, knowledgable friend, who never ever let me down.

"He was fascinated with the history of Oxford, and had written a book on the city and it's past but sadly never got to see it published. Our hope now is to get it privately published."

Mr Taylor died at St Luke's Hospital in Latimer Road, Headington, due to cancer, on May 29.