Axminster Town Council has paid tribute to one of its former employees, George Pye, who died last month.

A statement on the town council website said: "The town council were saddened at the recent news of the passing of George Pye.

"George would often be seen in the town centre taking his morning constitutional and chatting to friends and residents along the way.

"George worked for the town council for many years, and was a much-valued employee. He was dedicated at keeping the streets of Axminster clean and tidy, and took great pride in his work. He will be much missed."

District councillor Andrew Moulding, in one of his recent popular columns for Nub News on 'Characters of Axminster', wrote about George: "Georgie Pye was a most amiable man and soon became a most valuable and respected member of the local community, as he had acquired the role of the Axminster road sweeper.

"He worked for the council for many decades and was the most conscientious road sweeper that a town could ever have.

"His work went way beyond the call of duty, particularly following carnival or other events in the town when he would be up at the crack of dawn to make sure the roads were cleaned up before the residents of Axminster were up and about.

"The time eventually came when George reached the age of retirement, which seemed to coincide with the council's reduction in the road sweeping service.

"George hated the roads looking untidy and so until quite recently, during his retirement, he voluntarily cleaned the roads that he had kept tidy for so many years.

"In retirement, Georgie Pye was a great help to my dear friend, Geoff Enticott, the caretaker at the Guildhall, in helping to keep the Guildhall clean after Saturday night discos, or the like."

His private funeral is taking place at the Minster with family flowers only, but should you wish to make a donation these should be made payable to ARC (Axminster) Ltd. and further details on how to do this can be found on the Nub News Obituaries page.