SOLICITOR, methodist local preacher and Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate, John Mills, has died at the age of 94.

Mr Mills was educated at Ashville College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, before serving as a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the war and later worked as a solicitor at Mills Bushnell and Co.

He was known in Bournemouth for his efforts to provide housing for older people in the town, helping with the formation of the Abbeyfield (Bournemouth) Society Ltd, of which he was an honorary officer. He also helped to start up the Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, where he pressed for the provision of flats for retired missionaries.

He was a member of the executive of Bournemouth Council of Churches and was former secretary of Bournemouth Free Church Council, playing an important part in the planning of a new block of family units for older people.

Mr Mills was also an area organiser of the Road Wardens of the Charminster Christian Council in the parish of St Francis and for many years he was the secretary of the Bournemouth Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

A lay preacher, class leader and trustee of several churches and charities, Mr Mills was treasurer of the British section of the World Methodist Council and was sent to America at one point to represent the council. He was also Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate for Bournemouth West during the 1960s and 70s.

His wife, Eirene, is a double graduate of London University and a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society and together they had a daughter, Christine, and two grandchildren, Amy and Joseph.

Mr Mills was a keen sportsman and a member and trustee of Talbot Lawn Tennis Club and a member of Richmond Park Bowling Club.

He died on November 3 and his funeral will be held at Winton Methodist Church on Monday, November 23 with loved ones asked to donate to the Christian relief and development agency, Tearfund.