A MAN who became leader of Cumbria County Council when the country was in the grip of the foot-and-mouth crisis has died, aged 76.

Rex Toft was a Conservative county councillor for 20 years and was leader of the authority until he resigned in September 2004 because of a family illness.

He represented St Bees and Gosforth from 1985-2001 and then Gosforth and Ennerdale from 2001-2005.

Mr Toft was instrumental in helping Cumbria recover from the foot-and-mouth crisis, creating Rural Action Zones to focus on the regeneration and recovery efforts and also securing vital funds from central Government and the North West Regional Development Agency.

He also formed the county's first formal coalition administration with the Liberal Democrat group, working closely with Deputy Leader Mike Ash in the county's first Cabinet-style administration. Other benchmarks in his political career include forming the International Centre for Uplands and helping to establish a stronger partnership approach on how Cumbria deals with nuclear issues.

Coun Eddie Martin, leader of CCC, said: “I worked very closely with Rex as I was his leadership support officer while he was leader. He was a great role model and brought a calm dignity to all the problems and challenges he faced.

“Rex was first and foremost a gentleman. Respected by all his political colleagues from all parties, he gained our admiration for the commitment he showed to helping his local community and Cumbria as a whole. I will miss Rex and my thoughts are with his family.”

Coun Ian Stewart, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “Rex was a leader whose integrity and kindness stood out as a beacon to us all.

"He led the county through the troubled times of foot-and-mouth, and through changes in the way local government worked.

"But to me, it was his understanding of partnerships and how they can work for everyone’s benefit that will be my main memory.”

A memorial service will be held today at St Mary’s Parish Church, in Gosforth.