Tributes have been paid following the passing of a Somerset councillor who "fiercely stood up for his residents" for the best part of two decades.

Derek Yeomans served on both Somerset County Council and South Somerset District Council, holding positions on numerous committees and standing up for his home village of Curry Rivel and the surrounding parishes.

Following his passing over the weekend, the flags at Somerset Council buildings – including the former district council headquarters in Yeovil – were flown at half mast on Wednesday (August 2) out of respect.

Council colleagues have offered their sincere condolences to his family and friends, describing him as a man "dedicated to duty, with a passion for public service and environmental issues".

Mr Yeomans was first elected to the district council in 1999 as the Conservative ward member for Burrow Hill, comprising the villages to the north-west of Langport.

During his time on the council – which lasted until 2019 – he was an active voice on its area north committee (which handled local grants and major planning applications), and subsequently chaired its audit committee, overseeing the council's accounts and commercial investments.

Mr Yeomans was subsequently elected to the county council in 2001, serving as division member for Langport and Curry Rivel – he position he held until he stood down in 2017.

During his 16-year tenure, he chaired the Somerset waste board – overseeing the introduction of the Recycle More scheme – and the regulation committee, which made decisions on major applications involving schools, quarries and other significant infrastructure. Throughout this time, he also sat on Curry Rivel Parish Council.

Mr Yeomans stood to represent the South Petherton and Islemoor division on the new unitary authority in May 2022, but he was unsuccessful as the Liberal Democrats won both seats in the division.

In addition to his politial work, Mr Yeomans served in the Merchant Navy, the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary over a period of more than 40 years.

Council chairman Mike Best said: "Derek Yeomans was a well-respected Councillor during his time in office who worked for his community and the greater good of Somerset.

"I served with him for many years on the district council, especially on the audit committee, and witnessed first-hand his great attention to detail and passion to get things right.

"This was recognised after he came off the council and was brought back as an independent member of the committee to retain his knowledge and guidance.

"Most of all, I will miss his dry sense of humour and of course making sure he brought plenty of biscuits to his meetings.

"He will be sadly missed in his community and our thoughts must go out to his family and friends at this very sad time."

Councillor David Fothergill, the Conservative group leader, said: "Derek was everything that a local representative should aspire to be.

"He was deeply involved in his community, he fiercely stood up for his residents and he was willing to play a much wider role in the successful delivery of services across the county.

"He brought energy, drive and passion to his many roles and was well respected by all he had dealings with.

"He will be very sadly missed by his friends, family and all those who knew him."

Somerset Council leader Bill Revans added: "Derek Yeomans was a true gentleman who, as a councillor, stood up for his community, where his dry wit and 'panto' performances will be so greatly missed.

"Our sympathies go out to his family and friends at this difficult time."