FAMILY, friends, and fellow councillors gathered to pay their respects to a “public servant of the highest order”.

Tony Belford, Canvey town councillor and former Castle Point mayor, died aged 76 at the start of the month after a battle with pneumonia.

Residents from across Canvey and Castle Point paid their last respects to him man at his funeral on Friday.

Mr Belford served 30 years in the police force and worked his way up to chief inspector in 1993.

He first stood as a candidate for Castle Point Council in 1998. He remained a councillor until 2010 and during that time held a number of high positions such as committee chairman and a member of the cabinet.

The highlight of his 12-year political career was being nominated as the mayor of Castle Point for 2006/2007.

Tony’s son, Andrew, said about the funeral: “People have said it was a wonderful celebration of his life.

“Many people did not realise how much he had achieved over the years.

“It was a fitting farewell to a great public servant and dedicated advocate of Canvey island.”

Tony’s funeral was held on Friday at St Nicholas Church, Canvey, with good friend Ray Howard on hand to give a heartfelt eulogy.

During the service, he said: “ Tony was very much a family man and liked nothing better than to be amongst those he cared so much about. He loved his home, particularly his garden. I always enjoyed Tony’s company. He had a great character; was intelligent and clever.

“I sincerely believe and speak on behalf of many others when I say that Tony was an upstanding person who believed in solid values.

“He was sincere and very honest, well-respected in our community and will be sadly missed.

“Together, I am sure that we would all like to express our deepest sympathy to Margaret and her family, and more so, to say that Tony will be remembered fondly by us all.”

Tony left behind two sons, Andrew and Stephen, his wife, Margaret, and two grandsons, Lewis and Evan.