Tributes have been paid after the sudden death of a county councillor who was headteacher of a Norfolk school for 14 years.

John Crofts, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Freebridge Lynn, died in his sleep on Tuesday, just a few days after his 65th birthday.

Mr Crofts was headteacher of independent Glebe House School and Nursery in Hunstanton, before his retirement in 2018.

He became a county councillor in August last year after winning a by-election following the death of Conservative councillor Nick Daubney, who had represented Freebridge Lynn since 2021.

Mr Crofts was a close friend of Rob Colwell, Lib Dem candidate for North West Norfolk, for whom he also served as political agent.

Rob Colwell with John CroftsRob Colwell with John Crofts (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Mr Colwell, county councillor for Gaywood South and borough councillor for Gaywood North Bank, suspended his election campaigning on Thursday after hearing of his death.

He said: "John was a good friend and a close and trusted colleague and his loss will be felt across the community.

"He recently retired as headteacher of Glebe School in Hunstanton and was elected last August as county councillor for Freebridge Lynn.

"He was also active in his charitable work for Rotary in Hunstanton.

"I was recently looking for John and asked somebody where he was. They turned to me and said 'I’m not sure. John is everywhere'.

"He will be greatly missed by all those who have known him."

Kay Mason Billig, county council leader, said: “We were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of councillor Crofts.

”Our thoughts and deepest condolences go to his family at this difficult time.”

Mr Crofts, who was also a school governor, twice stood as the Lib Dem candidate to become Norfolk's police and crime commissioner, mostly recently last month.

In 2021, he was third with 31,666 votes, while this year he finished fourth, garnering 22,525 votes.

The death of Mr Crofts, who lived in Ringstead, near Hunstanton, will mean a Norfolk County Council by-election will be held in the Freebridge Lynn division in due course.

The division includes Castle Rising, Grimston, North Wootton, Roydon and South Wootton.