A MAN who served his community for more than half a century as a Ditton parish councillor, Don Carman, has died of cancer at Maidstone Hospital. He was 85.

Mr Carman, of Orchard Grove, Ditton, received an MBE from the Queen in 1996 for services to his community.

He was a governor of the former Ditton Primary School and a regular handyman at the village church where he carried out tasks from bell ringing to helping at funerals.

He leaves three daughters, two grown-up granchildren and one great-grandson. A second great-grandchild is due to be born next week. Mr Carman's wife Margaret died 13 years ago.

John Day, chairman of the parish council, said: "He personified the word gentleman. He could be fierce in his views but a gentleman throughout. He was really loved by everybody who knew him."

The funeral will be held at St Peter's Church, St Peter's Road, Ditton, on Monday (June 2) at 11.30am.