The widow of former district councillor Roy Jackson has paid tribute to a ‘modest and loving man’.

Mr Jackson, 82, of The Tynings in Corsham, who chaired North Wiltshire District Council for seven years, died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath on Monday.

Joyce, his wife of 56 years, said: “He was a loving father and a true family man. He was very busy outside the house, but he always had time for his family – we were never pushed aside for his council work.”

The grandfather of five, who was born in Bradford on Avon, became interested in politics when he was demobbed from the Navy after the Second World War. He became a member of the Liberal Party, a district councillor and Corsham parish councillor in 1967.

When the Liberals took control in 1991, he was asked to become chairman and served until 1998.

Mrs Jackson said: “Politics and his life in the community were important to him and he once came home from holiday for a meeting to make sure the vote went for a swimming pool and sports hall at Springfield when the estimated cost went up.

“He came back to the caravan when it was over.

“He attended parish council meetings until the end, and even when his hearing was going he would still go to the meetings. He did so much for the community but he always seemed to be around when we needed him.”

Mr Jackson, who was patrol leader of the Corsham Scouts and helped to start the Over-18s club, was awarded an MBE for his services to the community in 2000.

The funeral will be held at St Bartholomew’s Church in Corsham at 2.15pm on September 10, followed by a cremation for close family only.