DAVID Makepeace, the former chief executive of Maidstone Borough Council, has been found dead at his home.

His sudden death has shocked former colleagues at the council where he was in the top post for more than 13 years and involved in many important developments in the borough. He was 55.

Mr Makepeace, who was married with two grown-up daughters, was found dead at his home in Sevenoaks. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

He took early retirement from local government in March 2000. He became chief executive of the Heart of Thames Gateway regeneration and development project for the Barking, Dagenham and Havering areas and then later worked as a consultant.

Present chief executive David Petford said: "I would like to pay tribute to his work which has provided firm foundations on which the council has moved forward and modernised in recent years. Our thoughts are with his wife Doreen and family at this sad time."