Former Wootton Bassett mayor Eric Hodges, who died this week at the age of 78, was described as an "outstanding councillor".

Former Lib Dem councillor Steve Walls said: "He was absolutely relentless when he got the bit between his teeth."

"He was one of these people that didn't mind who he upset, as long as he could solve the problem he was taking on."

Conservative town and district councillor Chris Wannell said: "Over the years, I had many battles with Eric.

"But his heart was always in the right place and I always had a great deal of respect for him."

Mr Hodges had left Wootton Bassett, a town for which he had fought for vigorously, in 1999 to be nearer his children in Ely Cambridgeshire.

On leaving public office, he paid tribute to his wife Brenda, saying: "There have been times when she was ostracised simply because she was married to me."