FORMER Portland Mayor Ian Phelps has died aged 46.

Tributes and messages of sympathy from the island and many places in the county have been received by the partner and family of Mr Phelps.

Portland-born Mr Phelps lost his four-year fight against cancer and died at the Joseph Weld Hospice.

Educated at Underhill Junior School and Portland Secondary School, he had been a sea cadet, a choirboy at St John's Church and a member of the Royal Observer Unit on the island.

His main job in adult life was as a quality control inspector with Weyrad.

He served on the town council for a number of years and was a popular Town Mayor in 2002-2003, a highlight of his life during which he became a highly respected figure on the island and beyond.

He was a church warden at St John's in Fortuneswell for many years and was active in all aspects of church life; in fact, the last outing he had was to St John's where he managed to read two lessons the day before he died.

He is survived by his father, Harry Phelps, three brothers, six sisters and his partner for the last 10 years, Roy Evans.

The Rev David Botterill from St John's Church said: "Ian was a young chap of piratical mien and hairstyle, reading the prayers of intercession at my first service at St John's, and I was struck by the intelligence and compassion that he had put into those prayers he hadwritten for people and situations, near and far.

"His abilities and his integrity were recognised in the wider community, especially when he became Town Mayor, and from that year of office particularly he has left a strong example and a great legacy of goodwill and inspiration."

A celebration of Mr Phelps's life will be held at St John's Church in Fortuneswell on Thursday, June 5, and committal at Weymouth Crematorium will take place at 3.15pm.