TRIBUTES have been paid to a community stalwart who has died aged 80.

Christopher Garnett, who lived in Langham, spent a lifetime helping others before he died following a series of health problems.

Mr Garnett had been a Major in the Army, a parish councillor, borough councillor, school governor and Colchester’s mayor.

In 2012 he was given the title of honorary alderman.

Mr Garnett was born in India in 1934 while his father, Harold, was on secondment to the Indian civil service.

The family returned home to England shortly before the Second World War, settling in Wiltshire where his mother, Mary’s, family were farmers.

He joined the Army at 18 and as a private with the Green Howards, he shared a barracks in Yorkshire with soldiers from the north of England before beginning his officer training at Sandhurst.

During his 22-year career Mr Garnett travelled the world and rose to the rank of Major.

It was while he was at a fellow officer’s wedding in Bures, he met his wife, Ann, who was a bridesmaid.

The couple were married two years later in 1961 and went on to have two daughters, Rachel and Naomi, and four grandchildren.

In 1965, Mr Garnett’s battalion moved to Colchester.

With the girls growing up, the Garnetts decided to find a permanent home and in 1968 bought a house in Moor Road, Langham.

Mr Garnett left the Army in 1974 and studied a post-graduate course at Writtle Agricultural College before beginning a new career in the corn trade.

He joined Langham Parish Council and was chairman of the Langham branch of the Conservative Association.

He served as a governor at Homestead School in Langham, St Anne’s Primary and Hazelmere Primary schools in Colchester and Langham Primary School.

In 1982, he was elected to Colchester Council and represented Langham and Boxted and then Langham and Dedham for the next 30 years.

Mr Garnett was Colchester mayor in 2000 and was also president of Boxted Royal British Legion.

Paying tribute, Kevin Bentley, Essex county councillor and Colchester councillor for Birch and Winstree, said: “When I first got involved in politics in Colchester Christopher was the leader of the Conservative group. I found Christopher to be the most wonderful person and friend.

“He was a politician who really put his constituents first. He always showed great leadership.

He was an inspiration to me when I was a young politician.

“I think we are going to miss him hugely in Colchester.”

A cremation will be followed by a service of thanksgiving on Friday April 10 at St Peter and St Paul Church, Little Horkesley.

The thanksgiving service will be at 12.45pm.