A former Kingston Conservative councillor has died. Frank Thompson, who represented Tudor Ward, passed away at his home in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Mr Thompson served on the council for 12 years before stepping down due to ill health in September 2014. 

As a young man Mr Thompson served in the Royal Air Force before moving to London to work as a compositor on the Guardian and Observer newspapers for 34 years.

He was first elected to Kingston Council in 2002 and served on the Kingston Neighbourhood Committee, the Health Overview Panel, Development Control Committee and the Residents, Health and Care Services Committees.

Council Leader Kevin Davis said: “I knew Frank for a long time. He was an incredibly honest man and his passing is a great loss.”

MP James Berry said: “Frank was a popular and hard-working councillor and was sad to have to step down shortly after the 2014 local elections due to ill health. He will be missed.”