HARRY Wyatt, a former chairman of Oxfordshire County Council, has died aged 67.

Mr Wyatt, a Liberal Democrat councillor for Eynsham, who resigned from the county council in March due to ill health, died on Tuesday morning. Mr Wyatt, a diabetic, had been ill for some time and leaves a wife, seven children and five grandchildren.

County council Liberal Democrat group leader Zoe Patrick said: "I was devastated when I heard the news.

"Nobody knew the full extent of how poorly he was. It's very sad and Harry will be sorely missed.

"He was very well respected in his community for working hard and giving a personal commitment to public service."

Mr Wyatt was born in South Wales and qualified as a mining surveyor with the National Coal Board.

He came to Oxfordshire in 1966 and worked as a land surveyor for the county council for 25 years.

Chairman of the authority between 1999 and 2000, Mr Wyatt served on West Oxfordshire District Council from 1992 and was previously a member of Eynsham Parish Council.

Mr Wyatt listed rugby, classical music, chess, reading and gardening as interests.

A by-election was held earlier this month for the vacant Eynsham seat, which was won by the Conservatives.

Lesley Legge, chairman of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "Harry was a gentle giant and a very popular and respected member of the county council with both staff and councillors.

"He encompassed the best of public service through his hard work, caring outlook and dedication to whatever he undertook.

"Harry brought his own special style to the role of chairman and was greatly admired and valued by all who met him and will be sorely missed."

The funeral will be held at Oxford Crematorium on Thursday, June 1, at 11.15am, followed by a service at St Leonard's Church, Eynsham, at 12.30pm. Family flowers only.

Donations to the British Heart Foundation.