A MAN who provided links between old Eastleigh and the town today has died at the age of 91.

Harold Hiscocks, pictured above, moved to Eastleigh in 1938 from his home town of Swindon to work in the town's carriage works and soon joined Eastleigh Methodist Church.

He married Edna and the couple lived in Bishopstoke with their daughters Avril and Hilary until 1963.

During that time he was secretary of the Memorial Hall Committee and helped raise money for a new hall. With his wife he also ran the Bishopstoke Methodist Church Youth Club.

Until 1984 he was a trustee of Eastleigh High Street Methodist Church and was also a Sunday school teacher, member of the choir and society steward.

He also served for 20 years as secretary of the property committee and liaised with Eastleigh Council and builders when the new St Andrew's Church was created during the time when the town's Swan shopping complex was being developed.

After moving to Chandler's Ford Mr Hiscocks joined the local Liberal Association and served as treasurer from 1971 to 1999. Until very recently, he enjoyed taking part in local elections by canvassing, acting as a teller and attending counts.

After officially retiring from several companies where he worked as an accounts manager he worked part-time with Baker Martin and Holden Associates before finally putting down his pen at nearly 80 years of age.

He leaves a widow, his daughters, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

His well-attended funeral service took place in St Andrew's Church where Romsey MP Sandra Gidley, was among the mourners.