A FORMER county councillor who represented Malvern Link for eight years has died.

Ronald Remfry, of Pickersleigh Road, died on Monday, aged 86.

Originally from Kent, Mr Remfry was in the airforce during the Second World War and came to Malvern in 1968 as chief clerk to the County Court.

He lived in Malvern Link with his wife Liz and three sons - Alan, Paul-Martin and John - becoming a Citizens Advice Bureau adviser in the late 1970s. He joined Hereford and Worcester County Council in 1981.

In his spare time, Mr Remfry was a keen botanical photographer and member of Worcester Camera Club. More recently, he enjoyed researching family history and had been invited to an event in Plymouth celebrating Charles Darwin's 1831 voyage on HMS Beagle, in which his great, great uncle had taken part.

Mr Remfry was a member of the West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats and helped win over the Link's Conservative stronghold, standing on the county council for two terms in the early 1980s.

District councillor Clive Smith described Mr Remfry as a 'wise old owl' and said: "He was a very good friend and a father figure who was my mentor for many years. I will miss him greatly."

Mr Remfry's son John said: "He was a very caring, listening man who always gave sound advice. People used to go and see him - he was a bit like the oracle! He tended to keep in the background but always made sure everything happened."

His funeral takes place on Tuesday (May 18) at Worcester Crematorium, followed by a Quaker funeral at the Friends' Meeting House in Orchard Road.