TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Malvern councillor, who is said to have dedicated much of his public work to helping the homeless.

The family of Gordon Joyce has confirmed that he has died at the age of 94.

He leaves behind his wife Wendy, eight children from two marriages and nine grandchildren.

One of his sons, Tony Joyce, said his father, who was "committed" to his family and many interests, would be missed but that his legacy would live on in his children and grandchildren.

"He was an amazing Malvern man committed to music, theatre, trains and railways and his loving family," Mr Joyce said. "We will miss him every day.

"However he lives on in us, our dad and mum created an atmosphere that encouraged access to creativity, intellectual skills and a heart for the community and people and animals rather than a blunt push into academia."

Gordon Joyce was born in Wellingborough in 1931 but moved to Malvern in the 1950s, after his parents bought a plot of land on Pickersleigh Road for him and his then wife Margaret to set up home in.

They built a home on the land, where Mr Joyce lived for the rest of his life.

The pair had three children together, before his wife's death in 1975.

COMMITTED: Gordon Joyce was also known for his love of performing arts (Image: Family) He had started his career in the Ministry of Defence, initially in the Telecommunications Research Establishment. The department later became Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, where he worked until his retirement in approximately 1996.

In the 1970s, Mr Joyce was elected to represent Langland on Malvern Hills District Council, a role he held onto for several years before resigning.

"He believed in this role and spent much time trying to home the homeless and worked on housing policy," his son said.

Malvern's Coach House Theatre has also paid tribute to Mr Joyce, who had a long-held interest in performing arts, including playing the Wurlitzer at the Gaumont Cinema in Worcester.

He had volunteered to provide lighting for productions for the Nelson Players in Malvern and eventually became lead technician at the Coach House Theatre.

A spokesperson for The Coach House Theatre said: "He will be fondly remembered by local thespians, many of whom owe their radiance to Gordon's imaginative lighting and sound designs."

He leaves behind his wife Wendy, eight children from two marriages and nine grandchildren.