FORMER High Sheriff of Dorset and Justice of the Peace, Anthony Yeatman of Corfe Mullen, has died at the age of 80.

Born in Poole in 1936, he stood for the Broadstone and Canford Magna seat at the Borough of Poole's by-election in the early 1970s following the death of Eric Hackford.

Anthony founded Yeatman's Enterprises in Poole which he spoke to Daily Echo about briefly in November 1998 on his appointment as High Sheriff of Dorset.

At the time, he said: "I got into property because I love old buildings."

He said that he had restored Cinnamon House in Poole High Street, a building which dates back from 1692, which has a smugglers' hideaway.

His wife, Wendy, who served as company secretary and financial director, also chaired Poole Alms House commission. Anthony added: "A member of the family has sat on the commission for more than 100 years."

Anthony said that a stained glass window in St James' Church in Poole commemorates his great-grandfather, and his own father, Graham, worked as a magistrate, deputy lieutenant and high sheriff.

Anthony was a magistrate from 1972 and he also chaired the Wimborne bench, then central Dorset, following re-organisation. In addition he operated as the chair of Chairmen in Dorset until 1997.

Speaking about his role as a JP, he said: "I have always believed that we have got to put back into a community. If the country is all takers, we have had it.

"It's not nice sending somebody to prison but if it's necessary, you have got to do it."

He also said that he loved the county that he was born in and had great pride for Dorset, before adding: "I always quote an old farmer who said: 'A day out of Dorset is a day wasted.'"

Anthony also acted as president of Poole Rotary Club from 1973/4 during the club's golden jubilee year and was active in collecting donations for the Cancer Research Fund.

He is survived by his wife, Wendy and two children, Graham and Belinda, as well as several grandchildren. His funeral took place at Wimborne Minster on Friday, September 2.