TRIBUTES have been paid to the founder of the Keep Penrith Special campaign group following his sudden death.

Adrian Hill, who was also the spokesman for the group, set up in the wake of plans to build thousands of new homes in the town, passed away at the age of 60 on Friday, March 29.

A statement regarding Adrian's passing was published on the group's Facebook page.

It read: "Adrian supported and cared for many causes, including the Penrith Masterplan.

"He worked tirelessly since the launch of the Masterplan in September 2018, and sprung to local prominence as one of the driving forces behind our campaign group, which has successfully raised awareness and challenged Eden District Council’s Masterplan for Penrith and Eden.

"Adrian played a vocal and key role in mobilising local opposition and causing the Council to pause and set aside the Masterplan for a period of time, until after the May Council Elections.

"During campaigning he worked with many different people and organisations, including Friends of the Lake District, who submitted an excellent letter in support of our cause.

"Adrian had an innate sense of fairness and if something wasn’t ‘fair’, then watch out, because Adrian would be on the case, which this sums up his Anti Masterplan Campaign.

"Adrian cared deeply about the wanton destruction the Masterplan would have on Penrith and the Eden countryside.

"Many thousands of Eden residents agreed and supported our campaign, with more than 4,500 signatures gathered during the Engagement period.

"He strongly believed the people of Eden and Penrith deserved better.

"He was campaigning for a proper grounded, sensible and practical plan to make Penrith a better place to live, work, shop and visit.

"He wanted EDC to get everyone to contribute their thoughts in building that plan.

"That aim still remains together with the regeneration of Penrith Historic Market Town."

Adrian is survived by his wife, Belinda, and two daughters Jessie and Elli.

He had strong connections with his family's rural properties in the north of England and was a trustee of the Winderwath Estate in Penrith and actively involved in the estate's management.

Educated at Oxford University, he became a prominent banker and businessman.

He was the CEO of HFC Bank until it was acquired by HSBC, and he then went on to be in charge of both First Direct and M&S Bank.

Between 2013 and 2017, he provided financial guidance to the Carlisle-based H&H Group Plc, as a member of its main board.

Adrian supported a range of international and UK-based charities, including the Eden Rivers Trust.

The statement by the campaign group added: "The countryside in the north of England has lost a champion and major supporter.

"At this time, our thoughts are with Adrian’s wife and family."

The team are to continue their campaign for Penrith and Eden.

A spokesman from the Friends of Penrith Beacon community group said: "[We're] shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news that Adrian Hill, the founder of Keep Penrith Special, had died.

"We always admired his passion and dedication to the causes he believed in.

"He was never afraid to stand up and be counted.

"From the very beginning he was an avid supporter of Friends of Penrith Beacon’s cause, as well as being an active and inventive campaigner for Penrith’s future.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friend at this sad time."