JOHN Harold Summers, a life-long Labour Party activist in Chippenham, has died aged 80 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease and liver cancer.

Known as John to his colleagues and Harold to his family, he was born at Lower Lodge, Pewsham.

The son of a smallholder, he often spoke about life with his younger brother Alf and helping his father on his fruit and vegetable delivery round with a horse and cart.

He started school at Westmead, Chippenham, moving to John Bentley School in Calne.

Mr Summers then took an apprenticeship at Westing-house and became a member of the local Home Guard.

His daughter Jean said: "He always said he was like Pike in Dad's Army."

In 1944 he was called up for National Service, joining the Manchester Regiment, serving in India.

He was demobbed in 1948 and returned to Westinghouse and continued studying at Chippenham Technical College.

He married Mary Gibbs, whom he had known since he was seven, at The Causeway Church in Chippenham in April 1950. The couple moved to Oate Hill soon after to set up the family home where they lived until Harold retired, aged 63.

A lifelong member of the Labour Party, he stood as a councillor for Chippenham but did not get in. He also served as a magistrate.

The couple moved to Kibblewhite Close in Purton after Harold retired and he kept busy by driving a minibus for Age Concern.

Mr Summers' three daughters, two sons, eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter kept him busy but he still found time to play chess, garden, research local history and tend his allotment.

He died on January 9 after a long illness and was cared for in his last months by the staff of the Farmer Unit at Savernake Hospital in Marlborough.

The funeral was held on Monday at the West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington.

Donations to League of Friends, Savernake Hospital, care of FW Jones and Son, Chippenham.