ONE of Thurrock's former MPs has paid a tribute to the life and contribution to Thurrock of former Mayor Barry Palmer, who died in the week.

Andrew Mackinlay, who was MP for the borough from 1992 until he stepped down at the 2010 general election, says Mr Palmer, whose death was reported on Thurrock Nub News, was a man held in great esteem.

He said: ""Barry was a kind generous and warm-hearted man. This was reflected in the manner and style in which he, and his dear wife Jan, enthusiastically fulfilled their duties as the Borough's Mayor and Mayoress in 1994-95.

"Their Mayoralty was a great success because Barry always spoke common sense and consistently reflected the views of the ordinary man and woman.

"In the very real sense of the term, Barry gave 'great public service'.

"He was an assiduous chairman of the planning committee for many years. This was challenging and pressurised work. He fulfilled the task with great integrity.

"As a councillor he did everything possible to defend the green environment and particularly his beloved ward of East Tilbury, as well as the wider Thurrock.

"In particular he battled hard to resist the rapacious appetite presented by twin 'threats' of the mineral extraction industry and the promoters of landfill dumps.

"He worked very hard to minimise the impact of these exploiters of the precious terrain and topography of the Thurrock stretches of the Thames estuary. Many of Thurrock's green areas that survive are Barry Palmer's legacy.

"Barry also demonstrated great political independence and courage by standing and winning elections as an independent councillor after differences with 'the party machine'.

"To win an election as an independent is a great achievement and reflects the high esteem he enjoyed amongst his local constituents.

"He was a dear friend. I owe much to him. I salute Barry Palmer as a great man of Thurrock."