A former deputy mayor has died of cancer.

John Goodwin, 66, who passed away last Sunday, had the civic post in Dover in 2005 and was both a Dover district and town councillor over 12 years.

He was also a member of the Kent Long Distance Walkers Association.

A personal friend of Mr Goodwin was Graham Smith, former East Kent Mercury newspaper editor and ex-chairman of KLDWA.

Mr Smith said: “John was enthusiastic about everything he did.

"He got things done and he was a fine deputy mayor.

"I reckon he would have been a brilliant mayor, but he decided to leave the town council before he got the chance.

“My thoughts are with John’s partner Lin and his family at this sad time.”

Mr Smith added: "John was a very strong walker who completed many long distance trails in Britain, and it was a pleasure to be with him on those walks, which raised thousands of pounds for various charities."

'Officers and councillors were very saddened...'

Mr Goodwin in particular organised two charity walks linking the Cinque Ports of Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, New Romney and Hastings.

Until 2015 Mr Goodwin was a Labour councillor who represented Tower Hamlets in Dover for both the town and district councils.

He was a Dover town member from 2001 to 2005 and in that last year was briefly elected deputy mayor.

He returned as a town councillor in 2011 and remained in the post until 2015.

A spokesman for Dover Town Council said: "Officers and councillors were very saddened to hear of John's passing.

"He was a cheerful and interested member of the council and officers remember him as supportive and courteous at all times while taking a proactive interest in issues in Dover town."

Mr Goodwin was a district member from 2007 to 2015 and was on several committees.

He was also a shadow portfolio holder for community, citizenship youth and sport plus for access and property management.

A spokesman for Dover District Council said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former councillor John Goodwin, and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.”

Mr Goodwin also worked for 43 years as a rail ticket clerk until his retirement in 2016.

He started at Sandwich station, then spent two years at Deal, another at Canterbury and the rest of his career at Dover Priory.

In his later years he lived in Medway.

Mr Goodwin also leaves two daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, both in their 30s, and grandchildren.