Sir Martin Doughty, who was chair of the authority between 1993 and 2002, died at home in New Mills yesterday after a long battle with cancer.

He served on the authority for more than 10 years and was also leader of Derbyshire County Council from 1992 to 2001, before becoming chair of English Nature and then its successor Natural England.

Narendra Bajaria, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: "Everybody is very saddened to hear this tragic news.

"Martin has fought against cancer for several years and in all that time his energy and contribution to conservation and the environment has never dimmed.

"He set the agenda for public transport in the national park, was a big supporter of the rural economy and a stalwart on our planning committee, going through every application in detail.

"He was also a huge supporter of the Moors for the Future project which is restoring moorland to tackle the effects of climate change and help prevent flooding.

Sir Martin was also chair of the Association of National Park Authorities (ANPA) between 1997 and 2001 and received a knighthood in 2001 for services to local government in Derbyshire.

Narendra added: "We will be talking to Derbyshire County Council and Natural England to find a fitting and proper way to mark Martin's significant contribution to conservation and the environment."

Sir Martin was first elected to the county council in 1981 and during his 21 years served as chair of the planning and countryside committee, highways and transport committee and as vice-chair of the education committee and resources improvement and scrutiny committee.

He was also a member of our regulatory licensing and appeals committee and one of our Derbyshire Fire Authority representatives.

Paying tribute, Council Leader John Williams said: "It is hard to do justice to the enormous contribution Martin Doughty made to his own community of New Mills, to Derbyshire County Council, to local government and to environmental issues.

"Martin was a dedicated member of the council who worked hard for the communities he served and for all Derbyshire council tax payers.

"He was recognised locally and nationally for his keen interest in environmental matters and worked hard to encourage people to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

"His untimely death robs us of a hardworking and committed individual who was trying to make the world a better place for all of us."