A loved and respected councillor, former town mayor and ex-firefighter has been honoured for his life of service at his funeral.

Firefighters from Swanscombe Fire Station in Grove Road, Swanscombe, formed a guard of honour outside the building as the coffin of Kent County Councillor and former town mayor Peter Harman was led past some of the places that meant the most to him.

His coffin was mounted on the back of a fire engine caisson, draped in a flag and led by a firefighter pallbearer as it moved through Swanscombe High Street.

After a minute’s silence to remember Cllr Harman’s years of service for both the London Fire Brigade and Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the vehicle moved on to stop outside the offices of Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council where Cllr Harman served for 11 years.

Residents from the town gathered to pay their respects before the procession continued to a service at Thames View Crematorium in Gravesend.

Cllr Harman unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, August 22.

After his death, Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents’ Association (SGRA) - the party he represented at KCC - paid tribute to Cllr Harman, who devoted his political life to many local issues such as the problems with boy racers in Crossways Boulevard, Greenhithe, and the continued closure of Galley Hill Road after the landslip.

They said: “He had a passion for serving his community and always wanted to try and get the best for the community, often in very difficult circumstances.

“Not only was Peter a councillor he was also a devoted husband to Dr Jo Harman, father to Kate and Charlotte and grandfather to Emily and Jessica and it is to them, and the whole family, that our thoughts and condolences go out to at this saddest of times.”

Town mayor Ann Duke added: “We are all in shock at this news. Peter has been such a well-loved and well-respected leader in our community over many years.”

KFRS also paid tribute to Cllr Harman, who had been a serving member of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority as well as being a former Kent firefighter.

Chief executive Ann Millington said: “Peter dedicated many years of his life to the fire sector, as a former firefighter in London and here in Kent at Swanscombe station, and he was a valued member of our fire authority which governs our service. We will all miss him greatly.”