Green Party campaigner and Crosscanonby Parish Council chairman, Geoff Smith, has died at the age of 67.

Mr Smith had been ill with cancer for a few months but carried on working part-time and being active in the party and community until just a few weeks ago.

Jill Perry, Green Party secretary, said: "Geoff was a brave and lovely man – cheerful and practical as well."

Geoff grew up in Bolton and worked in local government finance for various authorities in the UK and Canada, before settling in Crosby where he ran the village shop and post office for many years.

His leisure interests were folk music and sport, especially running and rugby,

He also organised Crosby's youth football team.

In summer months, weekends were often spent at folk festivals.

His last outing was to the Rugby Magic Weekend in Newcastle on May 21.

He joined the Green Party in 2003, having previously been active in the Labour Party until his disillusionment with New Labour.

At that time there was no local party in north west Cumbria and he was determined to change that.

In 2006, he was instrumental in setting up Allerdale Green Party, which is still thriving today thanks to his dedication and political sense.

Mrs Perry said: "With his political and organisational skills he was both a key candidate and everyone's election agent.

"He taught us to think politically where previously we had just been campaigners."

In 2005, he joined Crosscanonby Parish Council, and in May this year he was made chairman, just over two months before his death.

He was elections co-ordinator for the North West Regional Green Party from 2007 and European election campaign manager in 2009.

Mr Smith was in intensive care at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven where family said he received more than just medical care.

Just days before his death, Mr Smith and his long-time partner, Helen, held a relationship blessing service in the hospital chapel, where they pledged their commitment to each other.

Mrs Perry said Mr Smith would be missed by everyone who knew him.

She added: "Our thoughts are with his family, especially Helen and son Adam and daughter Georgina."

A Humanist service will be held for Mr Smith on Wednesday at Carlisle Crematorium.