Staverton expert and community stalwart Pete Lavis has died in hospital at the age of 71.

Mr Lavis died on Saturday at Royal United Hospital, Bath, where he had been a patient for a month.

He was a parish councillor for many year, founded Staverton Football Club in the 1970s and was a local historian, among many other roles.

He also was a former school governor at Staverton School, had volunteered at Hilperton School and had been churchwarden for St Paul’s in the village.

Mr Lavis moved to Staverton almost 50 years ago and for 35 years worked at the Nestle factory, where he became production manager for Crosse and Blackwell and was the regional Nestle news correspondent.

A member of the Archaeological Society, he had written four books including histories of Staverton, St Paul’s Church and a history of Nestles.

The Rev Stephen Ball, rector of the Canalside Benefice which includes Staverton said: “He had a massive concern for the village. He literally wrote the book on Staverton. When he got hold of something he never let it go. I think tenacious is a good word. But he was a very affable bloke as well.”

He leaves his wife Diane, daughter Sarah, son Michael, two grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Mr Lavis’s funeral will take place at 2pm next Friday at St Michael and All Angels Church, Hilperton. Family flowers only, donations if desired to Dorothy House Hospice.