The last surviving Freeman of the Borough of Gillingham has died, aged 91.

Ex-council leader Freddie Cooper had a long and distinguished career in local politics.

He served as a Conservative councillor for many years, later rose to be Senior Bridge Warden, and was nominated for the Freedom of the borough by Liberal Democrats.

He was also a former mayor and deputy mayor of Gillingham and president of Gillingham Golf Club.

Mr Cooper’s wife, Phyllis, died in 1980.

Among his many achievements Mr Cooper was responsible for the creation of Gillingham Business Park (from an old army camp)and the Medway City Estate (on marshland owned by the Rochester Bridge Trust.

Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Geoff Juby, said Gillingham and Rainham had Mr Cooper to thank for there not being multiple high rise buildings in the area.

“He will be greatly missed by his family and anyone lucky enough to be his friend,” he said.

As a boy, Mr Cooper worked on the family farm, caring for the cattle, and knew all the drove roads and dew ponds from Maidstone to the Rainham marshes.

When he left school he worked in Gillingham for Kent Electric Power.

He was a keen cricketer, loved Rainham with a deep passion, and frequently lectured and wrote about it. His other sporting loves were football, golf and tennis.

• For more on the life of Freddie Cooper click here