WEST Berkshire Council has announced the death of councillor Marcus Franks, following a battle with bowel cancer.

Marcus had served as councillor for Speen since he was first elected in 2003, as well as holding several positions on the Executive Committee.

With a keen interest in West Berkshire communities, Marcus held several Executive portfolios, including: Health and Wellbeing; Partnerships, Equality and Community Safety and Communities and Public Protection.

He was also on a number of committees and involved in local partnerships around domestic abuse, restorative justice and safer communities.

As a result of his illness, Marcus stepped down from the Executive Committee in December 2018, although he remained a councillor for Speen ward.

Speaking about his friend and colleague, councillor Graham Jones, leader of West Berkshire Council, said: "Marcus has been both a great public servant and very good friend for the last 20 years.

"Ever since his election in 2003 he has been at the forefront of council work and I was very pleased to appoint him onto the Executive in 2005.

"His integrity, hard work and sheer likeability ensured he had friends across the party political divide and deep into the West Berks Community.

"He had an enthusiasm and energy that was infectious.

"His dedication to the community was clear from his work with Rotary and he was a stalwart for the crafty raft race.

"Our thoughts are with Nicola and Marcus’ family."

Councillor Lee Dillon, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and who also represents Thatcham North-East, was close friends with Marcus as well as working with him at Sovereign Housing Association.

He said: "In this world we have lots of people who just talk.

"Marcus was the opposite.

"He rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in.

"I will miss him deeply as a friend but also as a councillor.

"As a councillor, active member of the Round Table and through his community development work at Sovereign he strived to make communities better and we should be grateful that such as warm humoured and caring individual wanted to give so much back to West Berkshire.

"On behalf of all in the Liberal Democrats I send our thoughts to Nicola and his family at this sad time."