Tributes have been paid to an Army veteran and former councillor known for his passion for Morecambe who has died aged 54.
Darren Clifford, a former chair of Morecambe Town Council and a former cabinet member for Lancaster City Council, passed away in hospital after a short illness.
A British Army medical veteran who served in the Forces for 13 years, he was also armed forces champion during his time on Lancashire County Council.
At one point Mr Clifford served as a councillor for Morecambe Town Council, Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council at the same time.
He was known locally for his passion for Morecambe, and for the town's football club, where was a regular supporter and at one point took on the role as Shrimps' mascot Christie the Cat.
Mr Clifford was also a trustee of Bay Veterans Association and former committee member at the Royal British Legion.
The Royal British Legion, Morecambe and Heysham branch, posted on Facebook that "his passing will leave a huge hole within the veteran community".
Councillor Phil Bradley, a Lancaster city councillor for Heysham South and friend of Mr Clifford, told Beyond Radio that he was "a fantastic guy".
"It's a very, very sad day for the people of Morecambe," he said.
"To me, Darren was all about Morecambe Football Club, a pint, and Morecambe town."
A post on the Joiners Arms pub Facebook page, paying tribute, said: "Speechless, we only saw him a couple weeks back having a pint in the Joiners, he was so looking forward to the footy season after Morecambe was rescued, the look on his face said it all.
"He will be missed at the Joiners and also the Pier."
A tribute from The Chieftain pub said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Darren Clifford.
"Darren was a familiar face in The Chieftain, always ready to share a smile and a kind word with anyone who needed a chat. His passion for Morecambe Football Club was well known, and he was overjoyed when the club was saved.
"Darren’s family are very much a part of The Chieftain family, and during this difficult time we are thinking of them.
"He will be greatly missed by many for his cheerful nature and his genuine kindness. Rest in peace, Darren — a true gentleman."
Mr Clifford, who went to Lancaster Royal Grammar School and studied at the University of Brighton, joined the British Army at the age of 16.
He started as a private in 1987, ending his time in the Forces as a captain in 2000.
Mr Clifford worked as a combat medical technician and psychiatric nursing manager, serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.
He served during the first Gulf War, in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, Africa and Northern Ireland.
Mr Clifford was also community psychiatric nurse on the Falkland Islands, and in his last deployment was ward manager of the last ever in-patient psychiatric unit the Forces had in Germany.
Mr Clifford is pictured below taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge for the Bay Veterans' Association in 2024.
Later, Mr Clifford went into local politics.
Mr Clifford served on Morecambe Town Council from 2011-2019, becoming chair, and was also on Lancashire County Council from 2013-2017.
He was elected in 2015 as a Labour councillor for Harbour ward in Morecambe on Lancaster City Council, spending four years as cabinet member for culture, leisure, tourism and climate change.
He left the Labour party in 2019 and stood that year in the general election as an independent candidate in Morecambe and Lunesdale.
Mr Clifford stepped down from the city council before the 2023 local elections.
Councillor Margaret Pattison, mayor of Lancaster, knew Darren well and paid tribute to him on behalf of the council.
“Darren was a real champion for Morecambe, its residents and businesses, and he will be greatly missed.
"His years of service were defined by an unwavering commitment and determination to make a positive difference and life better for the people of his hometown.
“He will also be remembered for his warmth and good humour, which enriched the lives of all those who had the privilege to know him. Along with everyone at Lancaster City Council, I would like to pay tribute to Darrren’s work over the years and send my deep condolences to his family.”
A spokesperson for Morecambe Town Council said the council was saddened to learn of Mr Clifford's passing.
"He worked tirelessly for the benefit of Poulton and Harbour wards, as well as more generally as a champion for the armed forces family.
"The council extends its condolences to Darren’s friends and family at this difficult time."
During his working life he also worked for the Nuffield Hospital in Lancaster and the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, at the Boardwalk pub in Morecambe, and most recently, FGH Security.
Mr Clifford's family posted the news of his death on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
Funeral details will be announced in due course.
LISTEN to Darren Clifford talking about his career in the Army during an interview for The Veteran's Story podcast in 2022.
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