FORMER leader of Barnet Council and ex-Mayor of the borough Victor Lyon, has died following a period of illness.

Mr Lyon was elected as a Child’s Hill councillor in 1978 before moving to the Totteridge Ward in 1986 where he served for 20 years.

He was the borough’s First Citizen for the Mayoral year in 1993, deputy mayor on two occasions and was elected leader from May 2002 to May 2005.

The Mayor of Barnet, councillor Lisa Rutter said: "Victor Lyon was a highly regarded and dedicated member of Barnet’s Council.

“I’m sure the entire council will join me in paying tribute to an individual who contributed so much to borough life. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

Leader of the council, Councillor Richard Cornelius said: “Victor was a very tough act to follow as a ward councillor and will be an even harder act to follow as leader of the council.

“He was a true servant of the people of Barnet.”

Mr Lyons served in the cabinet as chairman for social services and presided over the recreation, leisure and arts portfolio.

He was also leader of the then opposition Conservative group between August 2000 and May 2002.

He served as chairman of Barnet Blind and Partially Sighted Bowls Club, was a trustee of Barnet War Memorial Initiative, which he founded in 1994 and was a member of the executive committee of the London Mayor's Association.

In 2006 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Middlesex University in recognition of his contribution to local Government, particularly in North London.