I WAS very saddened to learn about the untimely death at an early age of Neal Butterworth.

During my mayoral year in 2009-2010, together with my consort, I was privileged to meet Neal on many occasions especially at the tourism awards where he was the compare and spoke about memories of his time in Manchester before moving south to take up work at the Echo.

I would like to, through your readers, pass on my condolences to Neal’s wife Julie and daughters Gemma and Dayna and say I share your pain on losing a much loved husband and father and thank you for the pleasure of having known such a marvellous man.

CLLR BERYL BAXTER, Bournemouth Town Hall