WARM tributes have been paid to 'Ambleside lad' George Middleton, who has died aged 84.

A Lakes parish councillor for many years, he was devoted to the village where he was born on Christmas Eve 1930.

His passionate support of Ambleside's traditions such as the Rushbearing was well known, along with his gardening talents and his trademark deerstalker hat.

Mr Middleton died peacefully at home on August 8 after an illness brought about by diabetes, and his funeral took place at St Mary's Church, Ambleside on Friday (August 21).

At a Lakes Parish Council meeting, vice-chairman Fiona Sparrow paid tribute to Mr Middleton's service to the parish council - until 2007 - and the community.

Anne Glaister, his partner of 28 years, summed up his devotion to the village by telling the Gazette: "He was a parish councillor without going to a meeting. He would help anybody if they were in trouble and he was just so knowledgeable about all sorts of things."

She added: "He fought tooth and nail to keep all the traditions going. He was a very strong Ambleside lad."

As a boy, George would earn 'Saturday pennies' by helping out at Middletons, the family printing firm. He also worked at the village fruit shop and learned to make holly wreaths, a lifelong hobby. He and pal Dave Reynolds were members of Ambleside Boxing Club as teens, and they later started the charity car pull up Kirkstone Pass.

After National Service, George returned to live in Ambleside and he enjoyed travelling to Blackpool with friends to dance at the Tower Ballroom. He was a kitchen gardener at Holbeck Ghyll for 20 years and also traded his own plants at markets around Cumbria.

Mr Middleton played an active role in village life as a retained firefighter, a member of Ambleside Sports Committee, and by taking part in Ambleside Summer Flower, Produce and Craft Show, said Miss Glaister.

The couple met in 1987 at a dance club at Ambleside's St John Ambulance hall, and they became engaged 25 years later. Miss Glaister said they had hoped to marry, but sadly were unable to when George became unwell.

Mr Middleton was the brother of Anne, Vera, Phyllis and the late Mary, Frank and Thomas.

Miss Glaister said he enjoyed being part of a large family, with many cousins, nieces and nephews, and he was uncle and godfather to Naomi and Connor.