A PLAQUE commemorating the dedicated work of a councillor has been unveiled at Hopton village hall.

The ceremony was held on Saturday to remember Mike Butcher - a councillor for Bradwell South and Hopton ward on Great Yarmouth borough council and former chairman of Hopton Parish Council.

Led by Yarmouth mayor Barry Coleman, Hopton parish councillors were joined by village hall trustees and members of Mr Butcher’s family who celebrated the work he achieved in the community.

Chairman of Hopton Parish Council David Ramsden paid tribute saying Mr Butcher was “the reason he joined the parish council”.

He said: “Mike Butcher was a guiding force behind Hopton Parish Council, and on a personal note, he is the reason I am on the council now.

“I saw a man in him who was a true leader of the community. And I felt it was so appropriate that it was a beautiful day when the plaque was unveiled and there was such a good turn out. Hopton will always be thankful that Mike took an interest in us.”

Mr Butcher, 66, who lived in Gorleston, died suddenly on August 24.

Mr Butcher took great delight in gaining lottery funds for the building of the new Hopton village hall complex.

He was a member, and former president, of Great Yarmouth Haven Rotary Club, and chairman of the Night Safe scheme. He was also a founding director of the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority and was instrumental in getting the CCTV system in Yarmouth under way.

Mr Butcher’s wife Janette and two sons attended the ceremony.