A former mayor of Medway and honorary alderman has died.

Ted Baker, one of the Towns' longest-serving councillors, passed away at the Wisdom hospice in Rochester, aged 88.

An ex-Royal Marine who worked as a prison officer, he always found time to get involved with community issues.

The Tory served as mayor in 2002/03 and 2011/12, and deputy in 2000/01, 2008/9.

The Union Flag at the council's Gun Wharf HQ in Chatham was lowered to half mast.

Ted, whose wife Sylvia died in September, suffered a heart attack in Feb last year and went to William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, where he remained for three weeks.

His health deteriorated and last week he was transferred to the hospice, not far from his Rochester home.

Council leader Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) and chief executive Neil Davies have led tributes.

Cllr Jarrett said: “Ted was a fantastic local councillor who was incredibly proud to represent his community for so many years. I know he will be dearly missed.

"He and I were elected to Medway Unitary in 1997, and we became firm friends from that point on.

"He was a real character, never afraid to speak his mind. I shall miss his sense of humour and his honest and open approach to tackling difficult issues of the day.”

Mr Davies said: “We are all greatly saddened. He was one of Medway’s longest-serving councillors and will be greatly missed.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends.”

Ted was initially elected to Rochester-Upon-Medway Council between 1973 and 1976 and again between 1987 and 1991.

He then served on Medway Council continuously between 1997 and 2015 representing St Margaret and Borstal and then Rochester West ward.

He served on a variety of committees and held a number of positions including chairman of the school transport appeals committee between 2006 and 2010 and employment matters committee in 2001.

He also served as a governor of Rochester Math School, was a trustee of the Rochester Grammar School and was on the MHS charity board and involved with the ABC Project, a community group in Borstal.

In recognition of Ted’s significant contribution to Medway, he was awarded the title of honorary alderman in October 2015 at a special council meeting.

Rochester West ward councillor Stuart Tranter (Con) said: "He was a truly remarkable and decent citizen in so many respects."

While Labour leader Cllr Vince Maple said: "Ted gave a huge amount to our community in his variety of roles. He stood up in defending the local school St Peter’s when under threat of closure.

"He was a kind and fun person and embodied everything good about local government.

"He was Medway’s first Alderman alongside Paul Harriott, both having full cross-party support in being awarded this prestigious role. I, like so many people, will miss him very much."