Swindon mayor Peter Stoddart pays silent respect to Arthur Archer Picture Ref: 77374-47SWINDON mayor Peter Stoddart paid his last respects to a former civic leader from the steps of the Civic Offices.

Arthur Archer, who held the post of town mayor between 2000 and 2001, died last week after a long battle with prostate cancer.

As his coffin was driven past the Civic Offices on its way to the funeral parlour, Coun Stoddart stood in silence.

Before the procession arrived he said: "He was really honest and a good-hearted guy.

"He was popular among councillors. He was a true Swindonian."

Tributes poured in for Mr Archer.

Hailed as a people's champion, the 78-year-old won widespread praise for his work in Pinehurst.

The devout Christian was renowned for speaking up on matters he felt strongly about.

This dogged determination sometimes put the staunch Labour supporter on collision course with opposition councillors.

In February 2001, he famously stormed out of council rent-fixing talks when he felt his authority as mayor was being challenged.

Mr Archer's beloved wife Doris died in 2001.

She was a keen fundraiser for the Pinehurst Community Council and a supporter and helper of the Pinehurst 50s, 60s and 70s club.

The pair met in 1953 when Mr Archer was serving with the Royal Engineers at a camp near Horsham, in West Sussex. The life-long Labour Party member completed 42 years in the railway works in Swindon before being elected in 1996.

As a special tribute to the former mayoress, a new street in Pinehurst was named after her.

The couple had four children Christopher, Anthony, Gerald and Theresa

They also had nine grandchildren Louise, Michael, Ashley, Anthony, Lisa, Laura, Emma, Jade and Jason.

The funeral is due to takes place today at 11.30am at St Mary's Church in Tovey Road, Rodbourne.