THE Honorary Freeman of Kidderminster and retired mayor's officer Robert Fleming has died, aged 69.

Mr Fleming, known by most as Bob, was born in Kidderminster in 1950 and lived in Wyre Forest all of his life.

He was educated at Hagley RC School and worked as the mayoral officer for Kidderminster's Charter Trustees for 20 years from 1995.

In his role, Mr Fleming organised various freedom marches and royal visits and was particularly pleased to meet Princess Anne during her visit to Kidderminster.

From 1990, he was also a special sergeant for West Mercia Police for 22 years.

Mr Fleming retired in 2014 after being diagnosed with melanoma, and in 2015 was given the Freedom of the Town in recognition of his services to the mayoralty.

It was the first time the Charter Trustees had bestowed the title on anyone since 1988 and, speaking at the time, Mr Fleming said he was "greatly humbled" by the honour.

Mr Fleming passed away on Saturday (October 26).

His wife Stella told The Shuttle: "Bob was very proud of the history of the town and was proud to look after the mayoralty and at one point ran the Charter Trustees almost single-handedly.

"He had a wicked sense of humour and he was very gentle but very caring. He was genuinely a thoughtful but funny man.

"He had been going up to the QE Hospital on a regular basis for six years where he was practically a pin cushion during his treatment. And still, in every room he went into you could hear laughter wherever he went. That was the sort of person he was.

"He dealt with his illness in a way that it was what it was. He will be sadly missed."

Mr Fleming also leaves behind two sons, two granddaughters and a grandson.