One of Canterbury's leading city councillors has died following a battle with cancer.

Tory Bill Oakey, who had been re-elected to the authority in 2011 following an absence from local politics, passed away on Monday.

Fellow councillors were notified of his death through an email from council chief executive Colin Carmichael.

He lived in Bridge and represented Barham Downs and was chairman of the Canterbury Constituency Conservative Association which issued a statement describing him as "a true gent who was always available to help anyone and will be truly missed."

He chaired the Rural Area South Member Panel and was co-chairman of the council's licensing committee. He was also vice-chairman of the General Purpose and Licenisng Committee.

Cllr Oakey, who leaves a widow Eilzabeth, had continued his duties until only a few weeks ago despite his illness and was also a parish councillor and on the committee of Barham Horticultural Society.

Council leader John Gilbey said: "It is extremely sad. Bill was a very impressive ward councillor and one of the most motivated members for his constitutents.

"Over Christmas, I helped deliver some of his parcels around the village and the reaction I got on the doorstep was that people thought he was such a lovely man.

"He didn't talk about his illness much but he was a fighter right until the end.

"I fully expect the council to hold a minute's silence in his memory at our meeting on Thursday night."