ROBERT Ellis, the leader of Hertfordshire County Council, has died at the age of 69. Having spent eight weeks in hospital after a heart attack, Cllr Ellis died on Tuesday morning. County council chief executive Caroline Tapster said: Robert was a larger-

ROBERT Ellis, the leader of Hertfordshire County Council, has died at the age of 69. Having spent eight weeks in hospital after a heart attack, Cllr Ellis died on Tuesday morning. County council chief executive Caroline Tapster said: "Robert was a larger-than-life character, who will be sadly missed. "He worked incredibly hard and led the county council through a period of great change." Deputy leader Cllr David Beatty, said: "Robert will be missed by political allies and opponents alike. He was honest, forthright and a strong leader." "It's hard to believe that he is gone and that we won't see him again in the council chamber." Cllr Ellis was first elected to the council in 1981 and became leader in 1999. He represented Knebworth and Codicote since 1987. He was also a member of the Herts Police Authority and was Conservative spokesman on the Local Government Association's social affairs and health executive. Cllr Ellis leaves four grown-up children.