TRIBUTES have been paid to former Stourbridge councillor John Donegan - who was nicknamed "Bulldog" because of his dogged determination in everything he did.

Conservative stalwart Mr Donegan, who represented Lye and Wollescote for three years until losing his Dudley Council seat to Labour's Mo Hanif in 2007, died recently after suffering a stroke.

The 78-year-old, of Bournebrook Crescent, Howley Grange, Halesowen, who won a scholarship to Shewsbury School at 13, was conscripted into the army at the age of 18 and signed on for three years in the Royal Signal Corps, serving most of his time in post war Germany.

After his army stint he worked for the Conservative party, supporting the likes of Sir Gerald Nabarro - famous for his impressive handlebar moustache - former cabinet minister Lord Francis Maude and Enoch Powell.

Mr Donegan later retrained in IT and spent time working for Angus Strover, an eminent knee surgeon, at a private hospital in Droitwich.

He then worked in the planning department at Sandwell Council until his retirement, when he began to devote more time to helping local Conservatives on their campaign trails before becoming a Dudley councillor himself.

Former Conservative councillor colleague Ken Turner said: "He earned the nickname Bulldog because, if he had something to do, he was determined to get stuck in - just like a British bulldog and his hero, Winston Churchill - and wouldn't let go until it was finished.

"Never frightened to express an opinion and often able to correct errors of less experienced members, John was forthright and upstanding in his approach, whilst appreciative of others' limits."

Stourbridge MP Margot James sent a comment to Mr Donegan's funeral, which was held at Rowley Regis Crematorium on November 20, saying: “Bulldog was a great personality and I enjoyed his company enormously.

"He was great to go canvassing with, you never knew what to expect as he greeted people in a variety of ways and levels of volume.

"He was warm in manner and spirits at all times and people appreciated his open and direct approach.

"When I first met him he was serving the people of Lye with distinction as a local councillor and was very kind to me when I was new to the constituency."

Mr Donegan married his former wife, Pat, in 1963 and they went on to have three children, Paul, Kate and Steven. He also leaves grandchildren.