COUNCILLOR Peter Starling died last week after suffering a heart attack at his Penistone home.

The 67-year-old spent much of the past three decades representing the people of Penistone and was a member of Penistone Town Council, which he first joined in the 1980s, as well as Barnsley Councillor, having being elected to represent the Penistone West ward in 2012.

He was married to Rita Dyson, whom he lived with on Well House Lane, and had a stepdaughter, Helena, as well as a daughter, Tish, and a granddaughter, Isabella.

Rita said his death had left a big hole in the lives of his family.

"He would go out of his way to lend a helping hand and he often did, nothing was too much trouble to him," she said. "He was a genius in the kitchen, as well as being a very practical man.

"A big love of his life was his dogs and he could often be seen trudging around his local park with them, whatever the weather."Peter enjoyed living in Penistone and was excited about the town's on-going development."

In addition to his council roles, Peter was a governor of Thurlstone Primary School and, for many years, involved with the Barnsley Longswords dancers.

Rita praised the work of the on-call paramedic and ambulance crew who fought to try and save Peter's life.