Tributes have poured in to Mal Treharne, former Tory leader of Somerset County Council, and a champion of schools and the countryside.

Mr Treharne, 71, a keen skier and tennis player, was also chairman of governors of Haygrove School, Bridgwater, and of the national Rural Regeneration Unit. He died suddenly in his sleep at his home in Over Stowey on January 12.

Mr Treharne was chairman of the Building Schools for the Future Strategic Board and had recently become a founder member of Bridgwater Educational Trust.

Under the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme Haygrove School will be rebuilt on a new site, as part of a multi-million investment in education in the town.

Former head of Haygrove, Bob Ward, who worked with him for 20 years, described Mr Treharne as "a man of great vision".

Current head teacher Karen Canham said: "Mal was the driving force for Haygrove. We could not have wished for a greater friend, a more loyal and enthusiastic advocate.

"He had immense local knowledge, a professional manner, sense of humour and a down to earth approach. He did not suffer fools gladly but was always cheerful and diplomatic. It was a privilege to have known him."

Brian Tanner, former chief executive of Somerset County Council, on which Mr Treharne served from 1977-1993, said: "He was a lovely man, who put his all into public service and was respected by everyone. His two great loves were education and the countryside."

Mr Treharne was a former local spokesman for the Countryside Alliance. Alison Hawes, its regional spokeswoman said: "He was a passionate supporter of everything to do with the countryside and was a fantastic spokesman for it."

Mrs Enid Baker, Master of the Quantock Stag Hounds added: "He did an awful lot of work for the countryside and was most helpful to us."

Born in Wales, Mr Treharne came to Somerset as a child and lived most of his life in the county, apart from National Service with the RAF in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Mr Treharne, who was a also a member of the Friends of Quantock, is survived by his wife, Judy, children, Mandy and Jago, and grandchildren, Daniel, Samantha and Gabby.

A private funeral service is planned, and a memorial service to which all are welcome, will be held at St Mary's Church, Bridgwater at 2pm on January 28.