A MINUTE'S silence was held in the council chamber at Dudley in memory of former councillor Arthur Finch.

Councillors across both sides of the political divide also took turns at the last full council meeting to pay tribute to the former Labour councillor for St James's ward who died last month, aged 87.

Labour councillor for St James's ward, Khurshid Ahmed, described him as a "real community councillor" and said: "Councillor Finch is probably one of the reasons I'm a councillor today. I will sadly miss him."

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Conservative councillor for Gornal, David Stanley, said: "My relationship with him was absolutely excellent" and he described him as one of "nature's gentlemen".

Brierley Hill Labour councillor Zafar Islam described him as "a good man who served the people of St James and Dudley with great distinction and humanity" and he added: "He felt an obligation to help anyone and everyone."

Lye and Stourbridge North councillor Pete Lowe, former leader of the council, said: "We have all lost one of our proud serving councillors."

Dudley-born and bred Mr Finch served as a councillor for St James's from 1988 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2000 after working in the steel industry at Smethwick Drop Forge together with younger brother Ken, also a Dudley councillor.

He died on June 5 at his home in Marston Road, Dudley, just over 12 months after being diagnosed with cancer.

His youngest brother Alan Finch, a councillor for the Castle and Priory ward, said a shadow on his lung was detected initially and he added: "It must've come back and gone into his throat."

He described his older sibling as a "right character" and very much "a community minded man" and he added: "He was a mentor to me. It was him and Ken that talked me into taking up politics.

"He was really proud when I became Mayor."

Arthur's funeral was held at Gornal Crematorium on June 14 and Alan, aged 64, said: "The turnout was tremendous. The crematorium was packed and there were still a few outside. He had a good send off."

As a young man Arthur took part in the Berlin Airlift during the Cold War, taking supplies to people in West Berlin, and it was his experience of national service and the after effects of World War II that inspired his community-spirit - according to brother Ken, a councillor for Castle and Priory ward.

He said: "He passionately believed in Dudley and was a devoted community councillor. There was nothing Arthur wouldn't attempt to do, he'd give anything a go."

As well as councillor brothers Alan and Ken - he is survived by sister Pat and brothers Bill, Tom, Eric and Brian, wife Beryl, daughters Tracey and Kerri, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.