TRIBUTES from across the chamber have been paid to two retiring councillors who lost their seats at May’s elections.

Tories Vic Flores and former group leader Darius Laws lost out to the Lib Dems and the Greens in their Shrub End and Castle wards.

At Colchester Council’s annual general meeting yesterday, both were thanked for their years of service to the borough.

Martin Goss (Lib Dem) said: “I have to say I only have positive things to say about both of them.

“I worked extremely closely with Darius over the last year in order for us both to do our jobs.

“It was a pleasure to work with him and I am sure he will be back again in the future.”

New Conservative deputy leader Lewis Barber paid tribute to Mr Flores for his work as project manager for Colchester Rough Sleepers Group.

He said: “He is dedicated to the public cause and someone to look up to because of his continuous charity work.

“Darius helped bring new ideas to the council as well as the group.”