The mayor of Farnham has paid tribute to a great servant to the Farnham community and former Waverley executive member, Roger Steele.

Mr Steele, who died in late January after a short illness, served as a Conservative councillor on Farnham and Waverley councils for many years, and dedicated countless hours to helping schools, healthcare organisations and championing constituents.

A much-loved husband, father and grandfather, he was also an outspoken critic of the East Street redevelopment, latterly known as Brightwells Yard, a stance that saw him deselected by the Conservatives in 2014.

He also helped raise the alarm over illegal pollution levels in the town centre in 2018.

Paying tribute at a Farnham Town Council meeting, town mayor Alan Earwaker said Mr Steele was “a hardworking servant of Farnham who made a valuable contribution in many areas including the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan and the Farnham Building Preservation Trust.”