TRIBUTE has been paid to Baldev Singh Gill, 74, whose death was announced yesterday (Saturday, 17 January).

Mr Singh was president of Grays Sikh Gurdawara and a leader of the town's Sikh community who was widely respected across the borough and worked with many other local faith groups.

A tribute was paid this evening by West Thurrock and South Stifford ward Cllr Qaisar Abbas.

He said: "I met him various times in different events and always found him very kind and decent.

"He was a towering figure and pillar of local Sikh community.

"He had unique skills to bring different people together and he will be missed not just by Sikh community, but by all of us."