LONG-SERVING former district and county councillor Frank Reynolds has died peacefully on at St Michael's Hospice.

The son of a farmer, Mr Reynolds was born in Burrington and eventually settled in Wigmore with his wife Ginny where he lived for the rest of his life.

After serving in the Royal Engineers during the War, Mr Reynolds went on to own a local building business employing 11 men and developing the first council housing in the village, an achievement that he was particularly proud of.

An influential figure within the community he was approached to stand as a district councillor for the Mortimer Ward in 1947.

He retained this seat for 29 years. In the same year he was invited to serve on the magistrates' bench where he remained until his retirement in 1978.

He went on to represent his community at county council level where he earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues of all political leanings.

His long record of service was recognised when he became an honorary alderman and it was in this role that he attended the Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace.

He enjoyed village life in Wigmore and particularly enjoyed visiting the local school to give talks on the history of the village.