TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Gosport councillor who passed away light night.

Peter Langdon, who become a county and borough councillor after spending 38 years as a weapons engineer officer in the Royal Navy died at 11pm yesterday.

Mr Langdon, from Hardway, was born in 1938 and represented the area on the borough council for more than 17 years between 1999 and 2016 and previously served as a Hampshire county councillor between 1997 and 2001.

Outside of politics, he was a keen Gardner and regularly brought varieties of tomatoes, lettuces and other vegetables into the office for everybody to try at the Gosport Conservative Association.

Paying tribute to Mr Langdon, Councillor Mark Hook, leader of Gosport Borough Council said: "Peter led the way on transport issues both within the Conservative Group and the Council. Peter played a major part in improving Gosport's infrastructure with his work on Heritage Way, the BRT and was a big campaigner for the Stubbington Bypass.

"Peter was proud of our town and totally committed to improving transport access, the economy and enhancing the natural environment of our Borough. He was a true gentleman and he will be sadly missed by all."

Caroline Dinenage, Gosport MP said: "Peter was one of the great characters of public life in Gosport, an effective and well liked local Councillor, a popular and hard working part of our local Conservative family and, above all, a true and loyal friend. He will be hugely missed."

Details of the funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.