TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Burnham-on-Sea Rotary Club stalwart after it was announced he passed away.

Hugh Mackay, a former chairman of governors for The King Alfred School in Highbridge, died at home surrounded by his family on July 9.

Hugh was born and grew up in Kent and became a Chartered Civil Engineer, working for eight local authorities in Kent, East Sussex, South Glamorgan, Hertfordshire and Surrey over a 29-year period.

In 1994 he became a self-employed technical adviser for outsourcing services to local authorities.

Hugh and his late wife, who taught at St. Christopher's School, moved to Burnham-on-Sea in 1994 where Hugh served as a magistrate from 2005 to 2012 and on the North Sedgemoor Children's Advisory Board from 2009 to 2015.

He was also on the board of governors for schools in Pawlett, East Brent and Brent Knoll.

He joined the Rotary Club of Burnham-on-Sea in 2008 and he was the club's president from 2012 to 2013.

George Moon from Burnham-on-Sea Rotary Club, said: "Hugh was truly a man who gave great service to the communities in which he lived.

"He was also a non-executive director of Homes In Sedgemoor Ltd and a trustee of the charity Benchmark.

"Hugh is survived by his two daughters Lorna and Fiona and their families, one in England and one in Australia whom he used to visit regularly."

Neville Coles, executive principal of The Priory Learning Trust which runs The King Alfred School Academy, also paid tribute to him and described him as a 'dedicated' and 'great man'.

He said: “Hugh was a first class chair of governors at The King Alfred School.

"He was dedicated to the school, the staff and the students.

“He was a firm believer in the school as the heart of our community. Our flags have flown at half mast in his honour.

"A great man with high principles and a pleasure to work with. Our thoughts are with his family.”