Tributes have been paid to a late politician and public servant who supported the Labour party for 82 years.

Charlie Young, of Marlborough Road, Margate, died at the Canterbury Pilgrims Hospice on Monday aged 96. He was three times mayor of Margate, a former chairman and vice chairman of Thanet District Council, and served as a district councillor for Salmestone ward for 27 years before standing down at last May’s district elections.

Mr Young, who received the military medal for his service with the Territorial Army at Dunkirk, had been a Labour party member since joining, aged 14 and was a former agent to Cherie Blair.

Close friend Dorothy Collins said: "Charlie was the epitome of a gentleman. I don’t know anyone whoever had a bad word to say about him. He was the most remarkable man, so sweet and kind with a sharp brain right up to the end."

South Thanet MP Dr Stephen Ladyman said: "Charlie was a great trooper and a stalwart of the Labour Party and local politics for longer than most of us can remember.

"They don’t make them like him any more. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him or cares about Thanet."

Mr Young is survived by two of his four daughters and his family includes 10 grand children and 20 great grandchildren.

See the full tribute to Charlie Young in this week's Thanet Extra.