A FORMER councillor who served Shavington over two decades has died.

David Brickhill passed away on June 11, aged 83, at Hollymere House Care Home in Haslington.

He served on both Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council and Cheshire East Council and was an Honorary Freeman and Honorary Alderman of Cheshire East.

David first got involved in local politics in Shavington in 2001 when he won the seat on the then Crewe and Nantwich authority as a Conservative councillor.

He also served as a councillor on the former Cheshire County Council, where he was elected in the Doddington ward in 2002.

Later he was elected as an independent councillor and was the leader of the Shavington First Party.

David will be remembered for campaigning against several large-scale planning applications in the area, including the successful battle to prevent Gresty Oaks, a 880-home scheme, swallowing up the green gap between Shavington and Crewe.

He was also a Shavington parish councillor, while in his working life he held a role as a sales manager at the Co-op.

Former colleague Brian Silvester, who served with David on Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council and Cheshire East Council, said: "David was a remarkable man, who was an excellent long-serving councillor and a very loyal colleague.

"Altogether he served for over 40 years as a councillor in Cheshire. He had a truly exceptional record of service to the people of Cheshire.

"In recognition of his tremendous service, David was made an Honorary Alderman and an Honorary Freeman of the Cheshire East Council, a rare double honour.

"David was never dull and had forthright opinions about everything. They don't make characters like David any more. He will be greatly missed."

A celebration of life service is being held at Crewe Crematorium on Friday (June 25) at 12.15pm.