A PARISH clerk who served on Bradworthy and Holsworthy Hamlets councils for more than 25 years has died.

Paul Clarke died at North Devon District Hospital last Sunday, aged 78.

He had continued to work as clerk to Bradworthy, Holsworthy Hamlets and, until recently Woolsery, councils despite suffering ill health.

Paul started his career in an auctioneer's office before buying a dairy farm at Atworthy.

He ran the farm with his late wife Enid and the couple had two children, daughter Karen and son Kelvin.

Paul was very involved in village life and was previously clerk to Bradworthy School governors. He was a founder member of the bowling club and a past member of the Memorial Hall committee.

For a while he was also editor of the Bradworthy News.

Another of his interests was local history and he enjoyed being an active member of the Archive Group.

Close friend Trevor Sillifant said: "Paul was one of my greatest friends and I had a great respect for him.

"I used to preach at the chapel. He never came, but I would always chat to him afterwards. He came to a parish meeting and I asked if he would consider becoming the Bradworthy council clerk. He had been with us at least 25 years and about the same at Holsworthy Hamlets and then later Woolsery Parish Council.

"Although disabled after having a leg removed many years ago in an accident when he was farming, he went to all the meetings. He was conscientious and hard working throughout his career.

"He was very strong in his views and he would always go the extra mile.

"I used to take him to most of the meetings in Bradworthy and Holsworthy Hamlets and there were times I was in daily contact with him. I shall miss him terribly.

"He had given up the Woolsery job a few months ago and was looking to give up Holsworthy Hamlets at Christmas.

"For the past six months he has been in failing health but his job was his life and he carried on until the end."

Paul used to carry out all of his work manually and had just started e-mail training, investing in computer equipment.

Mr Sillifant added: "Paul will be very difficult to replace. His knowledge, contacts and experience were invaluable. He was a fountain of knowledge and a wonderful man."

Bradworthy Parish Council members said Paul will be greatly missed by all those who knew him and have appreciated all that he has contributed to public services over many years.

Ken Carroll, chairman of Holsworthy Hamlets Parish Council, added: "Paul was with us for 25 years and we have depended on him for all those years for his ability to look after us which he has done extremely well.

"He was extremely competent and a great bloke. He was a real asset and a very determined, independent and strong character.

"We will find him very difficult to replace. All that experience will be a great loss to us and to Bradworthy."

A one minute silence was held at Holsworthy Hamlets Parish Council meeting on Monday night.