TRIBUTES have been pouring in this week, following the sudden death of Tavistock Liberal Democrat chairman Peter Donkin, who collapsed during a meeting last Wednesday night.

Mr Donkin, 56, who was a well-known figure in the community and a serving town councillor, was also chairman of the council?s properties committee.

He was a member of Tavistock Forward and the town?s Market and Coastal Towns Initiative steering group. It was at a Tavistock Forward meeting that Mr Donkin collapsed.

John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward, said: ?Everyone is in great shock at the death of Peter at our meeting last week ? our thoughts particularly go out to Maria and their two children.

?Peter was a wonderful person who devoted himself to his community, in particular the town council and transport issues such as the hoppa bus and cycle routes.

?He will be greatly missed and very difficult to replace ? we are all very sad.?

Cllr Marjorie Corner, mayor of Tavistock, said: ?Peter?s death is an absolute tragedy. He was one of the most dedicated and active councillors we had ? he will be very sorely missed.?

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said: ?Peter was a dedicated, hard working and public spirited man. He had a number of intelligent, imaginative proposals for the town and it will be up to us to make sure his legacy is not forgotten.?

Acting chairman of Tavistock Liberal Democrats Peter Aizlewood said Mr Donkin worked ?tirelessly and selflessly? for the good of the town.

?He had a lasting interest in facilities for the youth of our town, such as the skateboard park, or developing a youth drop-in centre. He was working with other groups to achieve a hoppa bus and the move of our town museum to Court Gate,? said Mr Aizlewood.

Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor and friend David Stapleton said Mr Donkin was a ?thoroughly decent, kind, generous, modest man? and active ?hands-on? councillor.

?His enthusiasm for cycle tourism and Sustrans played a large part in bringing the National Cycle Route to Tavistock,? said Cllr Stapleton.

Liberal Democrat county councillor Roy Connelly said: ?When we walk around there will always be constant reminders of the work Peter had been involved in. He had an ability to talk to people, spend time to understand their needs and determination to ensure those needs were satisfied.?

Bob Pilbeam, chairman of Taviskate, said: ?For the last three years Peter has supported Taviskate events, showing deep understanding of youth issues and making every effort to bridge the gap between youth needs and local government bureaucracy. ?His hard work, good humour and unswerving pro-active optimism was an inspiration to those trying to make Tavistock a better place to live for both young and old.?

Former West Devon mayor and Liberal Democrat Alison Clish-Green said Mr Donkin had a passion for environmental issues and his advice and knowledge were ?invaluable?.

?Peter was always completely focussed and determined to see ideas through to completion.?

Tavistock Citizens? Advice Bureau manager Alex Wood was ?deeply saddened? by Mr Donkin?s death. ?The community of Tavistock and the voluntary sector, youth in particular, have lost a true champion,? said Mr Wood.

Peta Humphries, of Tavistock and District Local Transport Partnership, said Mr Donkin was dedicated to improving public transport for all. ?He was an honest, community minded man with a sense of humour, who wasn?t out for getting his name in the news. He was a very fair, open man,? she said.

Mr Donkin, a well-respected retired scientist, was married and lived with his wife Marie and daughter Alison at Bishopsmead. His son, Andrew, is a student at Bath University.

His funeral will be at St Andrew?s Church, Whitchurch, at 2pm on Monday November 25. Family flowers only ? donations in lieu may be made to Sustrans.

A memorial service will be arranged at a later date.