TRIBUTES were paid to a former Sandhurst town mayor at a full council meeting.

The funeral of Malcolm Watts, 87, took place at Easthampstead Park crematorium during that afternoon and a minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect at the evening meeting on January 9.

Town mayor Cllr Michael Brossard was full of praise for Mr Watts, who was born in Sandhurst and was a Liberal Democrat councillor for College Town when the party was in power on the town council.

He said: “It is a mark of the high regard in which Malcolm was held that I have received many emails and letters from councillors and residents. People remember him with fondness and affection. This was evident from the attendance at his funeral this afternoon.” He added Mr Watts – who was town mayor from 1995 to 1996 – was christened, confirmed and married at the Royal Memorial Chapel at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Mr Watts and his wife Grechan had two children, John and Sue, and several grandchildren.

Cllr Brossard described how Mr Watts had experienced a distinguished military career. He was a major in the Second World War and served in the Royal Berkshire Regiment in India and Burma.

Mr Watts was also heavily involved with the town museum and the historical society.

His father had also been town mayor – known as chairman at the time – between 1913 and 1914.

Mr Watts was a keen sports fan. Tony Dean, from Sandhurst Football Club, said: “Malcolm was our club president and lifelong supporter of the club.

“He attended most home games until he was taken ill earlier last year”.

Mr Watts died at a nursing home in Frimley Green and Sandhurst Town Council hopes to recognise Mr Watts’s contribution by planting a mature tree bearing a plaque in tribute to him.