Tributes have been paid to a former Labour councillor for Southall who died last week.

Ram Kishan Perdesi is believed to have died from natural causes on Wednesday, November 12, aged 73.

Mr Perdesi was first elected as a Labour councillor in 1990 in the Northcote Ward, which then became Southall Broadway.

He remained a councillor for four consecutive terms until 2006 and was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman by Ealing Council in June 2007.

During his time on the council he sat on numerous committees, including planning, and was heavily involved in council activities.

He was also a school governor for Blair Peach School and Tudor Primary for many years. Mr Perdesi played an active role in the community - he was a founder and member of the Shree Ravi Dass Gurdwara and one of the first members of the Indian Workers' Association (IWA) in Southall.

Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma, who knew Mr Perdesi for more than 30 years, said: "I remember him as very active, both politically and in the community.

"He was a campaigner for equality, fighting against discrimination, and he was always promoting peace and harmony amongst communities in the local area.

"We worked together as councillors and I worked very closely with him. He was widely respected in the whole community and he will be missed."

Mr Perdesi's funeral will take place on Monday, November 24. The cortege will leave 49 Ruskin Road, Southall at 11.10am, arriving at the Shree Ravi Dass Gurdwara at midday and moving on to Hanworth Crematorium at 12.45pm.

Mr Sharma said Mr Perdesi is survived by his wife Lashmi, one son and five daughters.

For more details of the funeral please contact Mr Gurdip Sahota, Indian Workers Association on 0208 574 7283 / 6019.