A former Mayor of Castle Morpeth has died at the age of 88.
Dalton Hutchinson took on the civic role in the year 1976/77 and he was also a member of Whalton Parish Council.
The farmer, who lived in the hamlet of Twizell, was a keen sportsman and was heavily involved in the Morpeth Pipe Band.
Another ex-Mayor of the borough, Barney Dunn, has known Mr Hutchinson and his family for more than 50 years.
He said: “I was elected onto Castle Morpeth Council a few years after Dalton and he took me under his wing. We became firm friends and our families have kept in touch with each other, even when we moved to Scotland.
“He was absolutely charming and a gentleman through and through. He was interested in what was going on in the community, particularly in Morpeth, and he made an effort to keep in contact with many of the people he often spoke to as a councillor.
“Dalton had a wonderful sense of humour and he approached matters with a great deal of common sense.
“He wasn’t overtly political and councillors of all political persuasions would listen intently to what he had to say.
“He was an excellent cricket and hockey player and was highly respected by his fellow Morpeth Pipe Band members. Dalton will be missed by many people.”
Mr Hutchinson was married to Evelyn and they had three daughters, Fiona, Christine and Zilla. He was also a much loved grandfather and great grandfather.
Another former council colleague, Frank Harrington, said: “Dalton was a very dedicated and sincere man. He gave many years of service to Castle Morpeth and Whalton and was devoted to his family.”
A Service of Thanksgiving will be held tomorrow at St Andrew’s Church, Bolam, from 2pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation via Jacob Conroy and Son, Fenwick House, 8 Manchester Street, Morpeth, NE61 1BH.