By Ian Austen

ian.austen@essnmedia.co.uk

"EVERY day I stand up in the House of Commons I will remember who got me there."

This heartfelt tribute was made by Croydon Central's new Conservative MP Gavin Barwell at a moving memorial service for his close friend Councillor Lindsay Frost.

The packed service held at Croydon Parish Church last Thursday was attended by around 250 family, friends and council colleagues.

Cllr Frost, 54, died on Good Friday after suffering head injuries when he fell down the stairs of his home in Addiscombe.

He left a wife, Kerri Ann, and two young children, Holly, 12, and Dominic, 3. His death came just a month before the general election, which saw Mr Barwell elected following a campaign which Cllr Frost spearheaded.

Mr Barwell told the congregation both he and Cllr Frost had reached the last four in the selection process for Croydon Central. When he was unsuccessful, Mr Barwell said, Cllr Frost could have simply walked away.

"Instead he devoted the last 21 months of his life to trying to get me elected," he added.

That devotion led to the Conservative Party awarding Croydon Central the prize for the campaign of the year in 2009.

Describing Cllr Frost as a "tireless, committed campaigner" Mr Barwell said: "Lindsay spent hundreds of hours supporting me, time which he could have spent with his family. He sought to make the backbreaking work of pounding the streets fun."

Cllr Frost's commitment was also highlighted by council leader Mike Fisher in his own tribute.

He described Cllr Frost as a man with a great sense of honour and charm, who had a great empathy with people. He was elected to the council for the Ashburton ward in 2006, becoming cabinet member for health and adult social care in May 2009.

Cllr Fisher said: "Lindsay really did leave a mark on Croydon."