FORMER Eastleigh mayor Albert Lee, who played a major role in the community, has died. He was aged 79.

A member of the Labour Party, Mr Lee was a councillor for 25 years and first entered the council chamber in 1951.

He served on the old borough council and for the new-look authority following local government reorganisation in 1974. Mr Lee, who was on key policy-making committees, was mayor between 1962 and 1963.

A plumber by trade, he worked for many years for the railways and Eastleigh's cable making giant, Pirelli.

In his younger days he was in the Eastleigh Boy's Brigade and throughout his life kept close links with the movement.

A council spokesman said: "Mr Lee was a well respected councillor and member of the community."

A thanksgiving service in Mr Lee's memory will take place this Friday at St Andrew's Methodist Church in Blenheim Road, Eastleigh from 2pm.

He leaves a widow and two daughters.