A FORMER city councillor and passionate Hereford FC fan has passed away.

Eric Nottingham, from Tupsley, died on July 4, aged 86.

He was the beloved husband of Joan and father to Mark and Ruth.

Eric was born in the hamlet of Wyson, part of the North Herefordshire village of Brimfield and had a close relationship with it throughout his life.

His son, Mark, said: "He was the village historian. He gave many talks and did lots of research and donated many items on the village which have gone to the Hereford archive centre."

Eric worked as an agricultural engineer before becoming a lecturer at the Hereford Technical College.

He ended his career as head of the Agricultural Engineering Department.

Mark said: "His students won numerous national awards and many people working throughout the county were taught by Eric. He was an active member of Herefordshire British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association."

In retirement he became very active in the Liberal Democrats. He was a Hereford city councillor from 1992 to 1998, representing the central ward.

Mark said: "He was a close friend and confidante of Paul Keetch MP and was one of the architects of Paul's election campaigns. He liked nothing more than canvassing a village with a lunchtime visit to a pub at lunchtime.

"He was known for reaching rural parts of the constituency who had never seen a parliamentary candidate before."

He was a passionate Hereford FC/Hereford United fan and was a season ticket holder for many years.

He was also a stalwart of the Hereford Farmers Club snooker tables.

Eric's funeral is at 2pm on Friday, July 21 at St. Michael's Church, Brimfield, SY8 4NU.