Honorary Wyre Forest Alderman John Wardle, who became Labour’s first chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, has died aged 86.

During a distinguished political career spanning more than 58 years, Mr Wardle had been Deputy Lieutenant of Worcestershire and chairman of Wyre Forest Council as well as the former Kidderminster Rural District Council, five times for Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council and Labour’s first chairman of Hereford and Worcester County Council where he served from 1991 to 1995.

He was awarded the MBE in 1968 and was a magistrate for 37 years after his appointment in 1955 and became chairman of the Kidderminster bench for eight years, from 1981 to 1986 until he retired six years later.

Mr Wardle was also a member of the West Mercia Police Authority and was made Honorary Alderman of Wyre Forest District Council in 2005 and Deputy Lieutenant of Worcestershire in 1994.

Having started work as an engine cleaner for the Great Western Railway, Mr Wardle graduated to being an engine driver throughout the 1939 to 1945 war.

He retired as deputy station manager at New Street, Birmingham.