Tributes have been paid to a former leader of West Midlands County Council Sir Stan Yapp, who has died aged 87.

Labour stalwart Sir Stan was the first leader of the now defunct West Midlands County Council from 1974 to 1977 and spent more than 23 years on Birmingham City Council representing Kingstanding, Oscott, Erdington and Washwood Heath in a career which spanned four decades.

City councillors held a minute’s silence in tribute to the hard working politician who served on more than 70 different committees.

Labour leader Sir Albert Bore said that Sir Stan worked for GEC at Witton and came into politics through the Amalgamated Engineering Union.

He said: “Stan could do the work of four or five councillors. He could pick up and run with almost any agenda, any issue, such was his grasp of politics.

“He also represented Birmingham well on the County Council. He was a huge character.”

Sir Stan leaves a widow, Christine.