A FORMER Mayor of Swale, Hugh Curling, has died at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital at the age of 87.

Mr Curling, who farmed at Perry Court in Faversham, was Mayor from 1983 to 1984. He represented St Anne's Ward as a Conservative for eight years.

He retired as a councillor in 1984 after his term of office as mayor.

Mr Curling joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve just before the Second World War and was based at Sheerness for much of the war, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander.

He leaves a widow, Norma, a son and a granson. His funeral is to be held at St Peter and St Paul's Church in Faversham on Friday (January 24).