A FORMER postman and councillor has died, aged 57.

Terry Buckett, left, was elected on to South Oxfordshire District Council in 2003.

He died at home on Tuesday, November 10. He had cancer of the vocal chords.

Mr Buckett served on the planning committee, customer and community scrutiny and the housing appeals panel during his time as a councillor.

Mr Buckett, who lived in Henley for 56 years and was married to his wife Pauline for 37 years, was educated in the town.

He served as a local postman for more than 30 years and was twice Mayor of the town.

In 1998, he was awarded an MBE for his services to the Royal Mail, after being nominated by the residents of the nearby village of Turville.

As a local councillor for Henley South, Mr Buckett’s main focus was saving Townlands Hospital, providing facilities for the youth in the town, planning issues and care in the community for residents.

Henley Mayor Elizabeth Hodgkin said: “Terry was a dear friend for a very long time. He was a true Henley man and everything he did was for the town and its people.

“He was respected by everyone he came into contact with and will be sorely missed.”

Mr Buckett is survived by his wife, two children and four grandchildren.

His funeral was held at St Mary’s Church in Henley on Tuesday.