A former long-serving Havering councillor has been described as "one of the people" whose death will leave "a void".

Barry Oddy, Conservative councillor for Elm Park on-and-off for 17 years between 1989 and 2014, died on April 18 at Queen's Hospital in Romford after being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare bone marrow disease.

The 71-year-old had been a long-serving executive committee member at the Dagenham and Rainham Conservatives Association from 2010 until 2024.

Barry was deputy mayor of Havering from 1993 to 1994.

His daughter Rebecca Murphy, 37, paid tribute to her father as an "incredible" man.

"He was a good man, one of the people, very relatable and could interact with so many - it was incredible.

"I was a councillor alongside Dad for one term and that was a wonderful memory that will always be with me - it was nice knowing we had those moments as well."

RELATED NEWS: Tributes paid to Thames Chase Upminster volunteer Jill Luff

Roger Evans, former deputy mayor of London, who served alongside Barry in Elm Park from 2006 to 2014, joined in paying tribute.

"It was a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside Barry for almost a decade and he will be sorely missed," Roger, who worked under Boris Johnson, said.

"His passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all who had the fortune to know him."

Rebecca added that Barry was well-known as chairman of Havering Council's regulatory planning committee from 2008 to 2014, an area he was "very passionate" about.

Barry attempted to get re-elected in 2014 and 2018 but was unsuccessful, his daughter said, but continued on the Conservative association.

He was its chairman from 2010 to 2015, before serving as vice chair from 2015 until his death.

"Even amid significant health challenges, Barry's leadership profoundly influenced the local Conservatives, providing his guidance, sharing his wisdom, and energising others with his passion for community service," Roger added.

Barry leaves behind wife Bernie Oddy, 71, three daughters and a son.