Former Melton borough councillor passes away aged 79

Mr Swain was dedicated to helping the community and served as a governor of the old Sarson School, as well as being a driver for the CVS for their activities for elderly people.

He enjoyed helping people in his work on the council, serving as a Liberal Democrat member and an Independent at various times.

His son, Richard, told the Melton Times: “Dad was offered the chance to be Mayor on one occasion but he wasn’t interested in the glory - he did it to help the community.

“As a man, he was quite an authority figure, but he enjoyed helping others.”

Mr Swain was born in Welwyn Garden City, in Hertfordshire, in the middle of the Second World War, and had a sister.

He moved to Melton in the early 1970s shortly after marrying Margaret at a ceremony in Chingford, Essex.

She died in 2013 and the couple also had a daughter, Elizabeth.

The move to Leicestershire was so Mr Swain could be closer to the patch he covered as a travelling salesman.

He changed career later in life to become a contract cleaner and worked at Asfordby Mine and Melton Foods.

Mr Swain’s daughter, Elizabeth, said: “He was a family man who had a wide range of interests including being a keen follower of his beloved Luton Town Football Club, local and national politics, listening to classical music, allotment gardening and being a devoted cat owner.

“He always enjoyed a lively debate on any number of topics.

“Having lived in Melton since 1971 having moved from Hertfordshire he was proud to have served as a councillor and contributed to civic life in his adopted home town.”

Former leader of Melton Borough Council, Matthew O’Callaghan, who served alongside Mr Swain, said: “Peter was a conscientious councillor – concerned for the residents who elected him and always trying to do his best for them.

“He wasn’t really political and his ticket as an independent councillor suited his approach to the council and its business.”

In his retirement years, Mr Swain, who lived on Wilcox Drive, doted on his grandchildren, Megan, Ethan and Albert.

He died at Leicester Royal Infirmary last month.

A funeral service will be held for a small number of mourners at Loughborough Crematorium on Thursday July 9, at 2pm, followed by a private family wake.