THE chief executive of Ashford Borough Council, Alan Baker, has died at the age of 48. Mr Baker had been ill for some time and for the past few weeks had been cared for at the Pilgrim's Hospice in Willesborough.

Mr Baker joined the council in February 1998, having moved from Aylesbury Vale, where he had been the district council's chief financial officer. An MA graduate from Magdalene College, Cambridge, and a CIPFA-qualified accountant by profession, he came to Ashford at a challenging time. With substantial changes in the work of local government, greater community involvement and a raft of other new initiatives to be tackled, Mr Baker was quick to make his mark on the authority.

He led the borough council at a time of considerable change and oversaw the transition from the old committee system to the new Leader and Cabinet-style of local government. He also helped the council take on such initiatives as Best Value, took a keen interest in all staff issues and was delighted when the council was awarded the coveted Investors in People status.

Mr Baker was also heavily involved in local promotion. He was a director of Ashford Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and active with both the Ashford Town Centre Management Board and the Ashford Development Partnership. He was also a member of Ashford Rotary Club.

Away from work he was a keen gardener and a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. He also enjoyed swimming. At home he was an accomplished cook and he also had a passion for reading.

Mr Baker leaves a widow, Teresa, and three children, Matthew, 20, David, 17, and Erin, 14. David's diabetes prompted Alan to play an active part in fund-raising for Diabetes UK. The funeral service has been arranged for 2.40pm this Friday at Charing Crematorium. Donations instead of flowers can be made to the Pilgrim's Hospice at Ashford.