Tributes have been paid to a long-standing Dawlish councillor who has died.

Cllr Terry Lowther served on Dawlish Town Council for more than 10 years and passed away on Saturday.

Leading the tributes was current mayor, Cllr Val Mawhood.

She said: ‘Councillor Terry Lowther was a long serving member of Dawlish Town Council, and a much valued member of our community. Despite health issues, he nevertheless bravely continued to serve the events committee until very recently.

‘On behalf of the council, I offer my condolences to Councillor Lowther’s wife, Councillor Mary Lowther, and his wider family and friends.’

Councillor Lowther, a former Justice of the Peace, was first elected to the town council in 2011, having won re-election in 2015, and most recently in 2019.

He served as the mayor of Dawlish from 2013 to 2014 and was most recently the chairman of the council’s events committee.

Dawlish Celebrates Carnival chairman Angie Weatherhead credited him with saving the carnival when the town council took over running the event in 2016.

Angie said: ‘Terry was the instrumental driving force getting the new committee and carnival off the ground. His enthusiasm and ability to bring people together was amazing.

‘He was known as Mr Events and was behind so many things.

‘I can accurately say carnival owes its existence to him and I hope he would be proud of the legacy he leaves behind.

‘We will dearly miss him and words can’t express the sadness of the committee.”

Fellow town councillor Ros Prowse, the council’s longest serving member, paid tribute to Cllr Lowther’s hard work.

She said: ‘I was very sorry to hear the news that Terry had died.

‘He was always very committed to the prosperity of the town and worked very hard on the events committee.

‘He was a big supporter of tourism and believed in Dawlish as a holiday destination but that the season should be extended.”

Shirley Fewings, MBE, manager of Assist Teignbridge, said Cllr Lowther had always been a big supporter of local charities, recognising their valuable work.

She said: ‘It’s a sad loss.

‘Terry did so much for the community not just in his role as a councillor. He worked hard as trustee of Dawlish Action for Youth to help keep it going when there was a threat to its future as he didn’t want to lose such a valuable asset to the community.”

Dawlish Water Rotary president Anne Harrison said he was a well liked member of Rotary, working on many projects and he will be missed.

And Meryl Harries, chairman of Dawlish Twinning Association, said he would be a sad loss to the town. She said: ‘When he was mayor, he came on our exchange trip and presented gifts to the mayor of Carhaix.’

As a mark of respect, the town council’s flag will fly at half-mast at The Manor House until further notice.