Former mayor of Wootton Bassett, Percy Miles, has died at the age of 82.

He was a former town councillor and was mayor in 1986, 2001 and 2006.

He was mayor in 2001 when Wootton Bassett’s official twinning with Blain was formalised. Mr Miles joined enthusiastically in the fun of the occasion and accepted the accolade Ambassador for Muscadet (the wine from the Blain region). Instead of the usual civic service he organised an impressive open air Songs of Praise, with many visiting dignitaries, band and choir, in the town centre.

As a staunch member of the Royal British Legion, and Poppy Appeal organiser, he instigated a gathering of residents at the war memorial, at the start of the repatriations. As these progressed, that original small group grew to a vast crowd whose witness led to Wootton Bassett being honoured with its Royal title.

Mr Miles was born in Broad Town in 1931, and moved to Wootton Bassett when he was six, to a house on the Dunnington estate, built by Harry Wallis, the leading local builder of that era. After leaving the National School (now the Civic Centre), Percy worked for the Gas Board, and was the last person to look after Wootton Bassett’s gas street lighting.

He enlisted in the Royal Ordnace Corps in 1949 and attained the rank of company Sgt Major before he returned to civilian life in 1971.

He worked for the old Swindon Council, owned an off-licence briefly and was delighted to purchase his former childhood home in Wootton Bassett.

He served for more than a decade as homelessness officer for Thamesdown Borough Council, and retired at 65.

He and his wife Sally, who first met when they were serving in the Army (Sally was in the WRAC) were married in 1955. They have a son, two daughters, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mr Miles was a popular man with many friends. He enjoyed going out and socialising, even after his health began to fail.

His funeral, a thanksgiving for his life, will take place on Tuesday, at Kingsdown Crematorium, at 10.30am.