DEAL’S last borough mayor Philip Wilson-Haffenden, who helped start the Haffenden factory in Richborough, has died in hospital. He was 92.

Mr Wilson-Haffenden was the technical director of the company with his brother Wallace when it began in 1947, making rubber goods.

Mr Wilson-Haffenden, of Hawkshill Cottage, Walmer, took early retirement when the firm was taken over by the London Rubber Company in the late 1950s.

He was voted onto the former Deal Borough Council and was a councillor for about 25 years, becoming the last borough mayor in 1972-73, before local government reorganisation. He went on to serve as ward councillor for Deal south, then later lower Walmer, from 1974 to 1983.

Mr Wilson-Haffenden was a member of Deal Rotary Club and was a keen golfer, becoming captain of the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club for three years from 1958-1960.

He leaves a widow Doreen, four children and seven grandchildren.