ONE of Hampshire’s most outspoken pensioners has died at the age of 89.

Colonel Peter Sweet campaigned on a variety of issues affecting the New Forest and often spoke out at meetings of the National Park Authority and other organisations.

Col Sweet, of Homeford House, Brockenhurst, always attended the monthly Court of Verderers in Lyndhurst.

The Official Verderer, Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre, said: “I have lost count of the many presentments he made in person, and the letters he wrote on all sorts of issues that he believed were in the best interests of the Forest. He was an active and extremely dogged campaigner.”

Mike Sneddon, the Forestry Commission’s deputy surveyor, said: “Peter was passionate about the New Forest and a familiar face at many meetings, where he would always be prepared to express a view.”

Thorold Masefield, chairman of Brockenhurst Parish Council, described him as a highly polished thorn in the side of authority.

Col Sweet was in the army in the Second World War and served as a messenger during the Dunkirk evacuation, dodging bullets as he galloped across the beach.

His funeral will be held at Southampton Crematorium on January 21 at 12.20pm.