Tributes have been paid to much-loved former Baldock police officer and charity chairman Peter Foxworthy, who has died at the age of 70.

Mr Foxworthy, of Hillcrest – who has been described by friends as “a face of Baldock” and “a true character of the town” – collapsed and died suddenly on Thursday evening.

His son Karl posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook at the weekend, writing that he was “proud to be the son of such an inspirational man”.

He said: “We are all in complete shock and we are all struggling to comprehend that this has actually happened.

“Baldock has lost a legend and I have lost my dad, who I have always been incredibly proud of and I’ve been lucky to have him supporting me throughout my life.

“I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do now he’s gone, and I only hope I can go on to make him proud of me.

“I am the proudest son in the world and always will be. Proud to be the son of such an inspirational man.

“I miss him already and know there is a hole in my heart that cannot be filled.”

Karl’s post prompted dozens of condolences and sympathetic comments – describing Mr Foxworthy as an “amazing person” and a “legend of a PC”.

Mr Foxworthy – who was originally from Bristol – was a member of Herts police from April 1979 until his retirement in March 2002 at the age of 55.

As well as policing, he served Baldock in roles such as chairman of the Baldock Community Association charity that runs the community centre in Simpson Drive. He also raised funds for the restoration of the town hall, and campaigned against what he saw as disproportionate housing plans for Baldock.

Friends paying tribute to Mr Foxworthy have included his former police colleague Vojislav Mihailovic, who is now secretary of the Herts Police Federation.

He told the Comet: “Pete was much loved and much respected by all the colleagues that knew him over many years of service.

“I first knew him back in 1980 at South Oxhey. His way of policing communities was to be much respected – it was to be very much a part of the community himself.

“Pete was a really approachable guy and made himself extremely popular with the public in Baldock.

“My defining memory of him is his roll-ups – he used to smoke them all the time, and he was always busy making another one.

“It was a pleasure to know him. Bless him.”

Councillor Michael Muir – who chaired the Baldock Community Association for about a decade, with Mr Foxworthy as vice-chairman – has also expressed his sorrow following his friend’s passing.

He said: “When I became a councillor I stepped down as chairman of the community centre because I had an extremely good vice-chairman in Peter, and he was himself chairman for more than a decade.

“He did a very good job, and the community centre is now thriving – it’s probably the best-used in North Hertfordshire.

“This is an extremely sad loss for his wife Margaret and their family. I only knew Peter in the last stages of his policing career, but he was very sought after as a constable.

“He policed Baldock in a very community-minded way. He was first-class and a real face of Baldock.”

The date for Mr Foxworthy’s funeral is to yet to be confirmed.