Tributes have been paid to a former Mayor of Deal who died at his home on Monday.

Norman Gilchrist, 83, grew up in Deal and went into the Navy, leaving the service in 1946.

He worked for Dover Harbour Board, retiring in 1989, although he continued his links as an active officer with the Trades Union Congress.

Through his time in the Far East, he became a member of the Deal, Dover and District Burma Star Association and was the secretary.

Mr Gilchrist became a Deal town councillor and in 2002 was elected Mayor, with his wife Mary as Mayoress. The couple celebrated their diamond wedding in December.

Deal town councillor and former Mayor, Sue Delling, said: “Norman was one of the hardest working councillors I knew.

“He worked quietly in the background and was modest and unassuming.”

Mr Gilchrist’s funeral is at St Andrew’s Church on Tuesday, June 2, at 10.45am, followed by cremation at Barham.