Tributes have been paid to a kind and generous community champion who has died from cancer aged just 49.

Former Ramsey School pupil Michael Cracknell, of South Close, Halstead, died in Springfield Hospital in Chelmsford earlier this week after he was diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer earlier this year.

Mr Cracknell, who was unmarried and did not have any children, leaves his fiancée Sharon and father Peter.

Friends and colleagues described him as intelligent, “brilliant company” and “a wizard at finance”.

Mr Cracknell, of South Close, Halstead, was well-known in Halstead after chairing the friends of St Andrew’s Church fundraising group for more than ten years.

Last year, Mr Cracknell was also recognised for his hard work as a poppy collector in the town and was handed a certificate for five years’ service.

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.