The death of a fun-loving former council chairman has left a huge void in the world, his widow has said.

Donald Chidson, 81, of Hammer Lane, Heathfield, headed Wealden District Council from 1990 to 1995.

He was also director general of the Caravan Club of Great Britain and was made an OBE in 1984 for his services to tourism.

He died at home on October 17 from a brain tumour.

Valerie Chidson said her husband been showing signs of illness for five weeks but survived to see his two-week- old step-granddaughter, Poppy, just two days before he died.

Mrs Chidson, who nursed her husband through his illness, described him as an energetic and fun-loving character who made everyone around him feel special.

He was a popular figure around Heathfield and could often be seen wearing his yellow trousers.

Mrs Chidson, 61, said: "I have had about 35 letters since he died and everybody said what a fun man he was and what an appetite for life he had.

"We were married for 21 years and I can honestly say I never had a single dull day. I cannot remember one silent meal with him.

"Only Donald could get away with wearing yellow trousers because he thought it was great fun. I am going to miss him."

Mr Chidson was the son of Monty Chidson, the first pilot to fight enemy aircraft over Great Britain in the First World War.

He went to Clifton College, Bristol, and went on to study French at Grenoble University in France, leaving to join the Army at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Mr Chidson served in the Fourth Tank Regiment and received the Military Cross for his courage and dedicated service in the desert warfare of the Middle East.

On leaving the army, he studied at Cambridge University.

In 1951, he joined the Caravan Club of Great Britain and was instrumental in increasing its membership from 7,000 to a quarter of a million.

Mr Chidson developed an interest in local politics and became a councillor for Waldron in 1983.

In the late Eighties, he served as chairman of Wealden's leisure and amenities committee and played a prominent role in transforming a disused stretch of railway into the 12-mile Cuckoo Trail for cyclists and walkers.

Wealden council chairman Norman Buck said: "He was a larger-than-life character, who simply loved people and had a wonderful ability to get the best out of all those around him.

"He brought some sunshine to all those with whom he was associated, both in friendship and business.

"He will be sadly missed by all and our heartfelt sympathies are conveyed to his wife, Valerie, and family."

Mr Chidson appeared in The Argus in April last year, celebrating 50 years as a customer of barbers' Truffit and Hill in London.

He had been going there since 1945 and was taken to the shop by horse-drawn carriage before sipping champagne while having his hair cut.

He leaves his widow, children Jeremy and Georgina, stepchildren Elizabeth and Nicholas and step-grandchildren Hannah, Roseanne, Ella and Poppy.