TRIBUTES have been made after it was announced that Reading's former Mayor passed away earlier this month.

Former Mayor of Reading, Fred Pugh, passed away in the Royal Berkshire Hospital on October 15, aged 85. He had served the Conservative party for more than 30 years of his life.

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Shahid Younis, Reading East Conservative Association’s Chairman said: "Fred led the Conservative Group for 10 years taking it from a base of just three up to 14 Conservative councillors in 2007, at which point he retired from the front bench.

"Fred had a wonderful Mayoral year in 2009-2010 with his loving wife Jean always by his side.

"It was an honour that meant a lot to him and he conducted his duties with the utmost diligence."

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Rob Wilson, former MP for Reading East, said: "I was greatly saddened to learn of the death of my friend and former council colleague Fred Pugh.

"Fred served his town faithfully for many years as a councillor and was forceful and formidable in the role.

"He was a good friend and it always came across to me how dearly he loved his family.

"My condolences to them and particularly his wife, Jean, who forged a long and successful marriage over many years."

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Cllr Isobel Ballsdon, who succeeded Fred as the Mapledurham Ward councillor said: “Fred was a thoughtful, honest, straight-talking man.

"He was always happy to listen to other people’s points of view and could be persuaded to alter his as a result.

"He loved his family, steam trains and Sweeney & Todd pies. He also cared deeply for Reading, working collaboratively with others across the political divide.

"One of his final achievements was helping to raise the funds to commission a fitting statue for Tropper Fred Potts. I’ll miss him, he was a true gentleman."