FORMER chairman of the Central Fife Crime Prevention Panel, Lenny Linton, died suddenly over the weekend.

Lenny passed away following a short illness and current chairman of the panel Colin Bird described him as 'one of Cowdenbeath's characters'.

Colin added that Lenny, who was born in Northern Ireland, was involved in several organisations in Cowdenbeath, including the Crime Prevention Panel, where he was vice-chair from 1991 until 1993 where he took over from him as chairman and held the position until May this year.

Said Colin: "During that time Lenny kept the panel to the forefront of the Cowdenbeath police division area, with events like our ever popular Elderly Forum day held in Lochgelly and was behind the formation of the travelling Santa, where he played a big part!

"The taking of Santa to the local primary schools and giving small gifts to the children and along with the police giving out safety messages has made a real festive mark in our local schools.

"One of Lenny's other loves was his allotment at Rosebank in the town, where he spent many hours down there making many friends and a few years ago he decided to take up exhibiting his vegetables at Cowdenbeath Flower Show, as a raw novice.

"He turned up with his veg straight from the plot, the more experienced exhibitors took him under their wings showed him how prepare for showing, when to prepare and what varieties to grow, to the point Lenny was competing well against his mentors at the Cowdenbeath and the Fife shows".

Lenny also showed his photographic skills at the Cowdenbeath Show and was a regular contributor in the Central Fife Times Image of the Week feature.

He has also been a long time member of Beath and Cowdenbeath North Church and was a Lodge member.

Lenny was probably better known as a bus driver, and he was a regular on the 19 route with Stagecoach before leaving to drive for Star travel, taking many football fans to games all over Scotland, as well as other groups to events etc.

Lenny leaves behind his long term partner Mags and two sons.