Mr Bond, 53, of Harcourt Street, Raunds, died on Friday, March 8, from bronchial pneumonia.

Born in Higham Ferrers, the father-of-three and grandfather-of-one moved to Langham Road, Raunds in the late 1970s with his wife Susan. The couple married at St Peter's Church in Raunds in 1971 and lived at various locations in the town before moving to Harcourt Street in 1999.

Mrs Bond died nine months ago from emphysema.

Mr Bond worked at various firms in the county including telecommunications firm GEC Reliance - now Siemens - on the Denington Road industrial estate, Wellingborough.

In the 1980s Mr Bond entered politics, serving as a Labour county councillor from 1981 to 1985. He was also chairman of Raunds Town Council from 1986 to 1987.

Eldest son Phil said: "He was a high-spirited and friendly man who was proud of the town and its history. He was very interested in the town's Saxon origins and loved its tight community spirit."

As a councillor he supported many plans to improve the town and also served as a governor of St Peter's Junior School, Raunds, and Manor School, Raunds, and was involved with the town's Windmill Primary School and Stanwick Primary School.

Exercising his interest in history he helped to found the Raunds and District History Society.

Mr Bond's funeral took place on Thursday, March 21, at St Peter's Church, Raunds.

As well as Phil, 29, he is survived by his daughter Alison, 22, and son Stuart, 17.