Former Dorchester Mayor John Antell, for many years the town’s only Labour councillor, has died.

A distant relative of Thomas Hardy he was first elected to the town council for west ward in 1987 after retiring from County Hall. He was twice mayor of the town in 1994 and 1998.

Mr Antell became president of the Lubbecke Society, the town’s twin town in Germany after a visit as mayor.

He retired from the council for health reasons in 2003 having never lost an election but kept in touch and usually attending the annual mayor-making ceremony.

Mr Antell was elected as a town councillor in West ward in 1987, following a career at County Hall, and having spent his youth serving below decks in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

He stood on a Labour ticket but Dorchester was always uppermost in his mind when making his views known; as a local he was proud of his distant relationship with Thomas Hardy.

Tributes have been paid to the community stalwart.

In a tribute statement, Dorchester Town Council said: “John served as mayor in 1994-95 and 1998-99. Being Mayor gave him the opportunity to visit our twin town in Lubbecke, which left such an impression on him that he went on to become President of the Lubbecke Society.

“Having never lost an election John retired from the council for health reasons in 2003 but always kept in touch and was a regular at mayor making and other events with wife Julie, who passed away three years ago; he particularly looked forward to those events that allowed him to keep up to date with our twin towns. John also served on West Dorset District Council during the same period. He will be missed.”

Current mayor of Dorchester, Richard Biggs said: “John really cared passionately about the town and had a lot of pride in being mayor.

“He wore all the robes wherever possible with pride.

“He was Dorset born and bred and had a strong Dorset accent. He cared passionately about the town and was well liked, a real character.

“John had a lovely wife, Julie, who was very supportive of him.”

Mr Antell’s death was announced at the annual meeting of the town council on Wednesday evening.

The meeting was also told of the death of Royal British Legion stalwart Les Cuff who often spoke the exhortation at Remembrance services and co-ordinated the annual D-Day ceremonies at The Keep military museum.