TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Otley's most well known and respected councillors.

Charles Norman Hindle, twice Otley Town Mayor, a Leeds city councillor, and elected honorary alderman of Leeds City Council in 1996 and an honorary citizen of Otley in 1997, died last Wednesday in hospital. He was 83.

A member of Wingate's Special Force during the 1939-45 war, runner of two family fish and chip shops, owner of the Wharfemeadows Park caf for 30 years and lively debater at Otley Town Council meetings, Mr Hindle was a true and loyal citizen of the town.

Councillor Graham Kirkland, former Lord Mayor of Leeds, said Mr Hindle was a true character whose presence on the town council often contributed to lively debate.

"He was a colourful character and well known for his love of his pipe. He used to sit in council meetings and scrape it out at the table.

"He could be seen at all times out and about in the town gathering snippets of information which he would then put to good use. I didn't always agree with him, but you had to respect that he knew what he was talking about."

Coun Kirkland added Mr Hindle had an eye for a story and also had a great love of dogs.

Otley Town Mayor Councillor Christine Campbell, added she had known Mr Hindle all her life and had grown up looking upon him as one of the older members of the council.

"I've known him for as long as I can remember, it's like he was always there.

"When I joined the council in 1983 he was already there. He was very much his own man and had his own strong views which he always stuck to.

"I've had some lively discussions with him, but he could also be quite droll, we always got on well.

"I know he was very proud to be Otley Mayor. He was an Otley lad and Otley was dear to his heart."

Mr Hindle, who lived for most of his life in Bridge Avenue, was educated at the former Board School and then at Prince Henry's Grammar. After school he worked for a Bradford dyers and then at the Pearl Assurance Company.

He was called into service in 1940 and after three years was posted to India to Wingate's Special Force.

Some months later he was sent to China to join the British Military Mission - an experience he considered one of the most memorable of his life. He had particularly fond memories of the Ghurkas.

He spent 12 weeks in a Calcutta Hospital suffering from amoebic dysentry and at the end of the war took part in the victory parade in Chunking.

After the war he joined his father in the running of two chip shops in Otley - one in Westgate and the other in Newmarket. They were eventually sold and one was turned into a gift shop where Mr Hindle became an agent for Royal Dalton.

After the gift shop, he took over the Springwell Caf in Wharfemeadows Park which he ran for 30 years.

Elected to Otley Town Council in 1976, he was a councillor for 19 years and served as Mayor twice in 1984 and in 1991. He was also a Leeds City councillor from 1984 for 12 years.

Fiercely independent, though a former president and life member of Otley Conservative Club, he followed his own conscience and was always keen to help deserving causes.

Mr Hindle was also a life member of the Otley branch of the Royal British Legion, life member of Otliensians Rugby Club, a governor of Prince Henry's Grammar School and a member of Wharfemeadows Bowling Club.

Mr Hindle leaves a widow, Hilda, to whom he was married at Otley Parish Church in 1939.

His funeral is due to take place tomorrow at 12.30pm at Otley Parish Church. It will be followed by burial at Otley Cemetery.