A FORMER town and county councillor has died aged 90.

Conservative George Knops was elected onto the former Bournemouth County Borough Council in 1965 and became closely involved in education committee work.

In an election pamphlet, he wrote of moving to the area from London and his work as a watchmaker and jeweller.

He pledged: “It is my sincere wish that this town should become an even more desirable place both for residents and visitors.”

Mr Knops, for Queens Park ward, served as chairman of College of Technology Governors and the Health Committee, and was involved with the reorganisation and modernisation of the ambulance service.

As chairman of the Development Committee he laid foundations for long-term developments in Bournemouth, including the area north of Castle Lane.

He was a language school principal and a member of the governing body of the Dorset Institute of Higher Education.

He was elected to Dorset County Council in 1973, and resigned from Bournemouth council in 1974. At Dorset he was on the Policy and Resources, Planning and Transportation and Education committees.

He had five children with wife Eileen, and lived at Gerald Road, in Winton. In 1982, their four daughters bought the couple a ticket for a trip on Concorde as a ruby wedding anniversary present.

Mr Knops, who died peacefully in his sleep, will be sadly missed by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A funeral was held on Monday. Donations to Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s Stroke Unit should be sent to George Scott Funeral Services, in Boscombe.

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