SIX-time Mayor of Christchurch Eric Spreadbury served his community for more than 50 years.

He finally retired from civic life in 2010, the borough's longest serving councillor. He died on April 26, aged 94.

Mr Spreadbury was born in Plumstead, London, in 1920, and grew up in nearby Woolwich.

As a boy he was an enthusiastic fan of Charlton Athletic, and he retained a love of sport both as a player for local football and cricket teams and as a supporter after he moved to Christchurch in 1941.

He worked there as a draftsman at the Military Experimental Engineering Establishment, and during the Second World War was among the team responsible for the creation of the famous Bailey bridge design.

He spent 40 years at the MEXE, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal for his contributions.

Mr Spreadbury, a staunch Royalist, first served as mayor in 1966, and later that year he escorted the Queen during her visit to the town, a memory he cherished.

Always enthusiastic about local affairs, he also loved Christchurch with an enduring passion.

He felt his service as a councillor for 53 years, representing Mudeford and Highcliffe, was a means by which he might give something back to the town which became his home.

It did not matter how small scale the event, during his six terms as mayor Mr Spreadbury endeavoured to attend them all.

These included Royal garden parties at Buckingham Palace, one of which he left early in favour of a fairy cake competition run by the Brownies back in the borough.

If he was double booked for dinners organised by civic groups and businesses, he would attend both, eating a starter at one and a main dish at the other.

Above all, he strove to promote the council to its residents, and the town to the wider world.

A Conservative Party member, Mr Spreadbury was a great traditionalist who respected the protocol and pageantry that characterised his era of local government.

His tendency to abandon the party line when he felt it was not in the interests of the town caused his popularity with colleagues to ebb at times; his particular interest was planning, where he was also traditionalist in outlook.

He was made an MBE in 2002, and was also an honorary freeman of the borough.

After he left MEXE he became known as a toastmaster at local events, and filled what little free time his civil commitments left him with voluntary work on school boards, helping charities and the Priory Church.

For a time he was a magistrate, and he also did much to encourage children into sports.

He came to support Christchurch Football Club and AFC Bournemouth, visiting with his family.

He and his wife Barbara, who met on a train, were married for 69 years until her death in 2012.

They leave three children, Roy, Ivor and Pepita, as well as six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Before his death, Mr Spreadbury learned to his delight that one of his great-grandchildren had been given the middle name Eric in his honour.

A civic memorial service will be held at the Priory Church on Wednesday, May 20, at 2pm, preceded by a parade through the town.