THAME'S 'Mr Scouting', Stephen Summersbee, has died aged 88.

Stephen Summersbee, of Chinnor Road, died in Stone House nursing home at Stone and was cremated at Oxford on February 26.

He was 70 years in the Scout movement in Thame, taking the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, was given a special chief scout's award for his work in the movement, and was secretary to Thame Scouts group executive.

He was also given a special award for his 60 years as a Methodist preacher in Thame, Chinnor and Great Milton.

Mr Summersbee was a member of Thame Lions and every year was their Father Christmas at fundraising events.

Thame Rotary Club named him its first Unsung Hero for his dedication to the town and its organisations.

Mr Summersbee and his wife June - the couple were married for more than 50 years - used to run the Young People's Fellowship at All Saints Church, the green corrugated iron mission church, which used to be opposite their home.

Mr Summersbee was a Thame area correspondent for several papers, including the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times, and covered Thame United Football Club matches for them and other local papers.

He worked for Bullingdon District Council for many years.

He leaves a widow, son Stephen and daughter Mary.

The family have asked for donations to be sent to the National Children's Homes.