TRIBUTES have flooded in after the death of a much-loved Burnham-on-Sea resident.

Neville Jones OBE, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning aged 94.

Mr Jones, who served as town, district and county councillor, was a much loved character in the town.

In the Second World War, he was a Sub Lieutenant on HMS Speaker, which was the first Allied ship to move into Tokyo Bay.

Following the war, he met his future wife, Margot, in 1948, before marrying her a year later. The happy couple then bought a house in the Cotswolds in 1949. He then became the youngest member of Oxford County Council, aged 29, which was his first foray into local government.

The pair then moved to Devon where they ran two successful hotels, before moving to Burnham-on-Sea in 1972.

It was here that the Joneses set up home, and Neville became a driving force in the town.

He served on the town, district and county councils, and received his OBE in 1993. He also received a civic award in October 2015, for his service as a town councillor for 30 years.

During that time he served four stints as the town's mayor.

As well as continuously fighting for what he believed in, Mr Jones was also behind many community groups and services.

In 1992, he was a founding member of Burnham's rescue charity Burnham Area Rescue Boat (BARB). He later became the president of the charity, and most recently, spoke at the naming ceremony for the new Spirit of Lelaina 2 Hovercraft, which was his last public event.

Mark Newman, chairman of BARB and a good friend of Mr Jones, said: "Neville will be greatly missed by everyone at BARB - he was a huge supporter of our charity's life-saving work, having been involved since the very beginning of the organisation 24 years ago.

"It was fitting, therefore, that his final function was to attend the naming ceremony of our latest hovercraft last weekend when he spoke of his pride at how successful the charity is.

"We very much appreciate all Neville's work for BARB over the years."

The leader of Sedgemoor District Council, Cllr Duncan McGinty also paid tribute to him.

Cllr McGinty said: "It was with great sadness that I learnt of Neville's death.

"Neville Jones was a larger-than- life character who felt passionately for Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge.

"Neville fought hard for what he believed and his long career in Local Government had a lasting influence on the local area we have today.

"Neville commanded a great deal of respect both far and wide; he was one of a kind and will be sadly missed."

Deputy Mayor of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council Bill Hancock also paid tribute to the 'great man'.

Cllr Hancock said: "He was a great man for the area, I have known him for many years. He died the most out of anyone for the area.

"He was a gentleman through and through, his word was his bond.

"I have been on the town council for five years and he had been on a lot longer than anyone else, but he made you feel comfortable and put everyone at ease.

"I cannot speak highly enough of him, he will be greatly missed by everybody."