TRIBUTES have been paid to a former president of the Weston Lions Club who was also instrumental in reviving Weston’s carnival.

Tom Churton, who was a founder member of the Lions, died aged 89 on December 17 following a long illness.

As well as being a founder member of the charity group, the father-of-two was also its fourth president.

He engineered the club’s move to Dauncey’s Hotel in 1973, which has remained its headquarters to this day. The Lions’ charter president, Bryan Fowler, said: “During the club’s formative years Tom was influential in the recruitment of many new members from the banking and hotel fraternity and was himself a very sincere and devoted member being involved in many early projects.”

A former bank manager, Mr Churton, from Ebdon Road in Worle, was married to wife Pat for more than 60 years and had a son Tony, daughter Sue and six grandchildren.

Sue said: “He was a gentleman who never judged anyone.

“His lessons on life were the results of professional experience and observation and he was down-to-earth with no pretentions, airs or graces, which was typical of the man he was.

“We all valued his judgement and advice.”

Mr Fowler added: “His lasting legacy will undoubtedly be the revival of Weston’s winter carnival.

“His determination to bring this spectacular event back to the resort is unsurpassed and the success of this revival has been in evidence each and every November since.”