FORMER councillor and chairman of East Dorset District Council Ray Dudman has died.

Mr Dudman served as a representative for the St Leonards and St Ives ward from 1999 until 2015.

He also represented the district council as chairman in 2008/09.

Sharing the news of his passing at East Dorset District Council's full council meeting on Monday evening, Cllr Derek Burt said: “It is with great sadness that we received the news of the recent death of former councillor, Ray Dudman, on May 5 2018. Our thoughts go out to his family at this sad time.

“Ray Dudman served as a councillor for the St Leonards and St Ives Ward from 1999 until 2015.

"He was an active member of many committees during his years as a councillor and he was also Chairman of East Dorset District Council in 2008/09.”