Family and friends of a much-loved Hitchin councillor who died from Covid before Christmas are aiming to raise £5,000 to cover his funeral and honour his memory in our town centre.

A fundraising page has been launched to fund funeral costs and a memorial bench in tribute of the late Paul Clark, who sadly passed away from coronavirus in December.

Paul served as a district councillor between 1995 to 1999, then from 2001 to 2015, and 2016 to the present day.

Paul a ward member for Hitchin Highbury for his entire service and served on many committees, including the Cabinet Panel on Housing, Strategic Planning and Transport, and was liked and respected by everyone who knew him.

Organiser Dave Clark paid tribute to Paul, saying: "He worked hard for the town of Hitchin over 30 years being a counsellor.

"Paul loved accompanying his family on shopping trips to the town centre and waiting on a bench while the family were in the shops.

"We are looking to a memorial bench, or an alternative if a bench is not suitable, to be installed in Hitchin in his memory."

The £5,000 will be used to purchase the memorial, and to cover some of the funeral costs. Anything raised over this amount will be donated to Diabetes UK.

If you would like to donate to Paul's fundraiser please click here