FORMER district councillor and fervent conservationist Margaret Hunt-Grubbe has died in Dalecare Nursing Home at the age of 95.

Mrs Hunt-Grubbe was member for Potterne on the former Devizes Rural District Council and its successor Kennet District Council between 1973 and 1988. She fought vehemently for the interests of the village .

Born and brought up in Surbiton, Surrey, her roots were in Wiltshire and she soon returned to Semington. She married Commander Brudenell Hunt-Grubbe in 1934 and they moved to Potterne.

In 1936 she was visited there by a Nigerian chieftain whom she had met when she lived in Africa before she was married. The chief was accompanied by his entourage and the visit caused a great stir. Mrs Hunt-Grubbe fought valiantly but in vain to prevent housing being built in Duck Street, on the village's only car park area.

Her son Robert, who is currently renovating the family home in Potterne, said: "The village is paying the price now for her not having her way."

A service of thanksgiving is to be held in St Mary's Church, Potterne, tomorrow at 2.30pm. Donations in her memory should be made to St Mary's Church.