RESPECTS will be paid to much-loved community hero Lennox Cumberbatch during his funeral on Monday. 

Cllr Cumberbatch, aged 76, who became the first councillor this century to serve two consecutive terms (2011 and 2012) as Alcester’s mayor, died on Friday, December 30 after a long fight against cancer. 

The service will be held at St Nicholas’ Church at noon on January 16. 

In lieu of flowers, there will be a collection for the Aylesford Unit at Warwick Hospital, a cause close to Lennox's heart.

Last spring, he and cllr Clive Neal-Sturgess donated £1,000 to the unit. 

Following news of his death, residents took to Facebook to pay their respects to the popular resident with many describing him as "lovely" and a "gentleman". 

Cllr Brannigan called Cllr Cumberbatch one of Alcester's "favourite citizens".

The Manchester United fan, who also enjoyed golfing, leaves behind wife Kath and his two children David and Suzanne.

The funeral is being arranged by Hemming & Peace Funeral Services in Alcester High Street, for more information call 01789 766750.