VETERAN Bournemouth councillor Ron Whittaker has died in hospital, hours after being made a freeman of the town he loved.

Mr Whittaker, who was 71, served continuously on Bournemouth council for 44 years.

Fellow independent councillor Anne Rey said this morning: “He will never be forgotten.”

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear of loss of former Cllr Ron Whittaker. For decades a pivotal figure in Bournemouth community, my condolences.”

Cllr Rey and Cllr David Kelsey had visited Mr Whittaker in hospital to present him with the scrolls making him a freeman of the borough. “He was thrilled with that,” said Cllr Rey.

Mr Whittaker was due to be made an honorary alderman at a council meeting next Tuesday.

It is expected the Town Hall flag will be flown at half-mast in tribute to one of the borough's longest-serving councillors.

Ron Whittaker, who had the blood disorder Myelodysplastic syndrome, was well enough to read the Echo and discuss council matters only yesterday afternoon. He died during the evening.

Born in St Clement’s Road, Boscombe, Ron Whittaker left Oakmead Boys School to work on the railways, as a cleaner and then footplate fireman in the last days of steam railways locally.

He then worked for Dorset Ambulance Service for 26 years before taking on a part-time role with Tapper Funeral Services in Kinson and Boscombe.

He was first elected as a Labour councillor for Moordown North in 1971, but left the Labour group to become an independent.

Changes to council boundaries saw his ward become Throop and Muscliff, and Ron Whittaker regularly topped the poll at election time. He also served on Dorset County Council from 1973-97.

He was a dogged local campaigner, known for bombarding council officers with letters and later emails on behalf of his residents. He campaigned on a host of issues from the Winter Gardens to the future of Throop Mill in his patch.

Among his passions was planning, and he became vice-chairman of the borough’s planning board.

He was mayor of Bournemouth in 1993-94, during which time he met his long-term partner Jackie. They married last year.

Ron Whittaker stood down from the council in May, defying predictions from those who believed he could never leave the council.

Cllr Rey praised the care he received from Royal Bournemouth Hospital in the last days of his life. “The staff were amazing. They were like a family in there,” she said.

Bournemouth council's deputy chief executive, Jane Portman, said of his death: “This is devastating news and my condolences go to Ron’s family at this difficult time. On behalf of everyone at Bournemouth council I would like to express my sincere appreciation and pay tribute to the outstanding work Ron did over many years for the town.

“We are indebted to him for the untiring and notable manner in which he always discharged the arduous duties and responsibilities of the various offices he has so ably occupied as a councillor for a period approaching 44 years.

“This was recognised earlier this year when he was made honorary freeman of the borough and next week a meeting was in place to enter him into the Roll of Honorary Aldermen of the borough. Both are the highest mark of esteem and honour that the council can bestow. Ron was an inspirational man in every sense and will be sorely missed.”

Council leader Cllr John Beesley said: “Ron had so many friends, and he will be greatly missed by us all.  He was so highly regarded by everyone who knew him and he made an enormous contribution to the town he loved so much.  My thoughts are with his beloved Jackie at this terribly sad time. We shall all miss him very much.”

The mayor of Bournemouth, Cllr John Adams, said: “I am very saddened by the passing of my dear friend Ron Whittaker, whom I have known for over 40 years. I knew him when I first served as a councillor over 40 years ago. He is a true gentleman, and was indeed an exceptional councillor, serving his constituents with all his vibrant energy.

“I was able to visit Ron in hospital yesterday [Thursday], and met his wife, Jackie, Cllr Rey, and Cllr Kelsey there, and was able to talk to him and know that he was so proud that he had been shown his scroll as a freeman of the borough. He wished me a happy mayoralty and was able to talk to me for a short time.  I really will miss him, and send sincere best wishes and strength to Jackie.”