FORMER Mayor of Royston, Cllr Bill Prime, has died following a heart attack. Cllr Prime, who was 73, died at his home in Burns Road, Royston, on Sunday. He was married to Kath, and the couple have two children, Alison and Julian, and four grandchildren.

FORMER Mayor of Royston, Cllr Bill Prime, has died following a heart attack.

Cllr Prime, who was 73, died at his home in Burns Road, Royston, on Sunday.

He was married to Kath, and the couple have two children, Alison and Julian, and four grandchildren.

Alison said: "He was a wonderful man and a dearly loved husband, father, and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by everyone in the family."

A former sales executive at The Crow, Cllr Prime was a stalwart member of Royston Town Council, and served as mayor in 2005/06.

He was also a prominent worker on behalf of local charities and organisations.

Royston MP Oliver Heald paid tribute to a man who "contributed hugely" to Royston.

Mr Heald said: "Bill was a marvellous character and very distinguished mayor.

"He had a lot of friends in the town, including me, who will miss him greatly.

"This is very sad news indeed, and my thoughts are with Kath and the rest of his family."

Current mayor of Royston, Cllr Paul Grimes, said: "Bill was always very focused on the town, and on making it the best place it could possibly be.

"He was a big supporter of many local groups, particularly the museum, and his death will be a great loss to his family and to Royston."

Cllr Prime was originally from Staffordshire, but moved to Royston in the 1980s.

He was devoted to many local causes, including the Coombes Road Community Centre, Royston and District Museum, Royston in Bloom, and Royston Community Transport, for whom he was one of the main drivers.

During his tenure as mayor, Cllr Prime nominated Royston and South Cambridgeshire Home-Start as his mayoral charity.

A Home-Start spokesman said: "Bill was a devoted supporter of Home-Start, and spent many years as an advisor, representing Royston Town Council on our trustee board.

"He raised funds for the scheme when he was the Mayor of Royston, and spread the word about our services whenever he got the opportunity.

"He was a real gentleman in the truest sense of the word and he touched many people's lives in such a positive way.

"We will all miss Bill and our sympathy and thoughts are with his family at this time."

Former council colleague Martin Beaver paid his own personal tribute. He said: "I consider Bill to have been a dear friend and a wonderful human being.

"I had the great pleasure to have worked with him on numerous occasions in various capacities and he always gave 110 per cent of himself in everything he did, and was for ever the gentleman who had Royston and its residents foremost in his heart.

"On a very sad week for his family and Royston, I would just like to say thank you Bill, you will be missed so very much, and God bless you."

A private cremation will be held on February 18, followed by a service of thanksgiving at Royston Methodist Church at 2pm.