The executive director of the Conference of European Rabbis has died at the age of 74.

Rabbi Aba Dunner, who had been ill for several months, was a prominent figure in the international Orthodox Jewish community.

Born in what was then the German city Konigsberg, his father was also a rabbi and served as the head of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations.

The CER said it was "deeply saddened" to hear of Rabbi Dunner's death and expressed "deep condolences to Aba's wife, Charlotte, to his children, and to all his family".

Rabbi Aryeh Goldberg, the vice-president of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, said: "He was a pillar of European rabbis and communities, to whom he dedicated his life, his strength and energy."

"He was at the heart of the building and strengthening of Jewish institutions in Europe for over 20 years," added the World Jewish Congress.