LOCAL historian, community volunteer and Blandford councillor Tony Harrocks died suddenly on Friday, March 13.

Mr Horrocks was well regarded in his community for his tireless volunteer work, helping out at schools and in the organisation of civic events.

By training an engineer, he had worked for Alan Cobham Engineering in Blandford, and as an inspector for Park Engineering.

He served on both Blandford Town Council, joining in October 2010 in a by-election, and North Dorset District Council from 2011, and at the weekend the flag over the former's Corn Exchange office was flown at half mast as a mark of respect.

Town council chairman Steve Hitchings said: "From an early stage he played a very active part in the community and was involved with virtually every sub-committee we have.

"He sat on the Blandford Museum Trust and the public transport group. He worked with me on the Blandford Yuletide Festival and I know he was closely associated with the civic society.

"He will be very sadly missed."

Mr Harrocks was known as a kind and thoughtful man who spent much of his time helping and caring for others.

An enthusiast for local history and military history he helped plan and co-ordinate many of the events held in the town last year to mark the centenary of the First World War, through his membership of the commemoration group.

Two weeks prior to his death he had marched from Blandford to Shillingstone in full military dress as part of the Gallipoli Memorial March.

He researched the conflict at the Dorset History Centre, putting together weekly reports for the Dorset County Chronicle, as well as the town's history.

Mr Harrocks served as chairman of Blandford and District Civic Society from 2013-14, and was a committee member at Pimperne Pre-school.

He volunteered at Blandford Jobcentre and with Blandford Speedwatch, and was a member of the Blandford Jubilee Celebrations Group and its successor the Blandford Events Group.

Through the latter he was involved with organising events for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Also, he was involved with the running of the community magazine Forum Focus, and personally distributed more than 400 copies house-to-house.

Mr Harrocks was found dead at his home in Mortain Close on Saturday.