Former Dartmouth mayor Peter Norton, described as a “true gentleman” has died in hospital aged 91 years.

Both Mr Norton and his wife Pam served as town councillors in Dartmouth.

He was also linked with Dartmouth Regatta and various Dartmouth trusts.

Mr Norton died at Torbay Hospital. A funeral service will be going ahead at St Saviour’s Church at 2pm on Thursday, November 16, followed by a private cremation.

Former town councillor and town mayor Richard Rendle, who was at Mr Norton’s bedside when he died, said: “He was a true gentleman with a quiet gentle manner, meticulous in all he did.”

Mr Rendle, who served on the town council with Mr Norton for many years, added: “Peter understood how the council operated and had that wonderful ability to be able to express his concerns on difficult subjects while always accepting without question the democratic vote.

“Peter was also treasurer to the Old Dartmothians up until last year and always gave wise counsel while accepting that Dartmouth was his adopted town.”

News of Mr Norton’s death was announced at this week’s Dartmouth Town Council meeting where Cllr David Gent, who also served alongside Mr Norton, said: “Many of us can remember serving with him He was the most courteous man that I can remember.”

Former Dartmouth town councillor Dave Cawley, who also served alongside Mr Norton, said: “Peter worked tirelessly for Dartmouth and never had an agenda of his own. In his day Peter was very active in working with Dartmouth and put the regatta on a firm financial footing.

“Peter was an ‘old school’ councillor who understood protocol. He and his wife Pam took me under their wing and taught me how to do things properly.”

Mr Norton spent 46 years as a company secretary in London. He and wife Pam bought a holiday home in Dartmouth and then came to live permanently in the town in 1983.

Soon after moving to the town, Mr and Mrs Norton both became heavily involved with the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta tennis tournament and Mr Norton was also regatta treasurer for 12 years between 1988 and 2000.

He and his wife Pam were made honorary stewards of the regatta in 2001 in recognition of their work and commitment to the committee.

Mr Norton became a district councillor in a byelection in 1996 and served until 1999.

He was elected as a town councillor in 1998 where he remained until 2014 becoming town mayor in 2005.

He represented the town council on St Petrox Trustlands, Dartmouth Trust and Dartmouth United Charities for a number of years ands chaired the council’s planning committee.

He leaves wife Pam, daughter Sue, two grandsons Tom and Alex, a great grandson Archie and a great granddaughter Daisy.