The leader of Warwick District Council has paid tribute to a "well-respected and well-liked" councillor who has died following a "tragic accident".

A statement from the council today announced the death of Cllr Jonathan Nicholls.

Council chairman Cllr Neale Murphy has paid tribute to the former Labour member for Clarendon.

"It is with deepest regret that I must share the news that Cllr Jonathan Nicholls has passed away following a tragic accident," he said.

"Jonathan was a well-respected and well-liked member of the council, known to many across the district and in his Clarendon ward and local community.

"Jonathan Nicholls had worked as a councillor for three years and was an active member of the Labour party, he was also a Registrar at the University of Warwick until 2003 and had remained in close contact with them since."

Cllr Murphy said he had written to Cllr Nicholls' family to send sympathy on behalf of the council.

The flags at Leamington Town Hall will be flown at half-mast today as a mark of respect.