FORMER mayor and Christchurch historian, Michael Hodges of Highcliffe, has died at the age of 78.

After studying at Brockenhurst Grammar School, Michael, signed up to become a part of the Royal Engineers. He spoke to Daily Echo in 2012 about his military career which included him being taught to be a field engineer for six months. During that part of his training he said that he learnt many skills including demolitions, boobytrapping, improvised bridging and how to create a Bailey Bridge. He said that Christchurch and Poole were designated as 'anti-tank islands' during the second world war and that 53-miles of Bailey Bridge were used during WW2, with the pieces having been made in Christchurch.

After his time in the armed forces Mr Hodges served on Christchurch Council from 1973 to 1983 with a year as mayor in 1978/79.

He continued to take an interest in local politics with a particular focus on maintaining the heritage of the area and its traditions.

Michael also penned a vast number of books and pamphlets on Christchurch's history due to his expansive knowledge of the town.

These include Here Be Dragons, Ghosts of Christchurch Hundred and was a co-writer on Christchurch: Town and City Memories, the latter of which he described as a reformulation of a similar book in the Black Horse series. That particular book featured maps and photographs spanning five generations with the text going back to prehistoric times. Saxon and Norman sites, the manors of Christchurch, the priory, the Civil War and smuggling were all covered in the text, as well as the town in Victorian times and the 20th century.

He was also keen to lead many ghost and paranormal activity walks and talks in the area.

Together with his wife, Joan, they welcomed three children, Mark, Sara and Jane, and he was a father-in-law to Martin and Cheryl.

Mr Hodges was a grandfather to Jack, Jess, Orla, Enya and Tom. His funeral will be held at Christchurch Priory on Friday, May 13 at 11am with donations going to Save the Children and the British Heart Foundation.