A FORMER town mayor who devoted his life to the community has died at the age of 52.

David Newell, from Ferryhill in County Durham, died on November 23 after being diagnosed with cancer in May.

Mr Newell, who was a councillor on Sedgefield Borough Council between 1999 and 2009, was known for attending meetings in suits and flip flops and became the authority's youngest mayor in 2002.

Bernedette Rush, his sister, said: “He was a very private person but he absolutely loved helping people and he saw the good in people, even if everyone else had turned their backs on them.

“He was 100 per cent dedicated to the community. He was the only person who could get away with wearing a suit and flip flops."

Mr Newell, a keen artist, musician and traveller, worked for Durham County Council organising events and was a staunch Labour supporter, backing former Sedgefield MP Tony Blair.

When the Prime Minister visited Sedgefield with US President George Bush in 2003, he painted a flag incorporating the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes and got both men to sign it before auctioning it for charity.

John Burton, who was agent to Tony Blair, said: “David was around before Tony was Prime Minister and was always very supportive. We always needed supporters to who were prepared to gather support, attend meetings and talk to the press, TV or radio and David was always willing. He was a great help to Tony and to me.”

Ever committed to his causes, Mr Newell also once spent a week blindfolded to find out about the difficulties faced by armed forces veterans who lost their sight in service.

His community work extended all over the world to the places he loved to visit.

Mrs Rush said: “Wherever he went he didn’t want to be seen as a tourist - he always went into the community and met local people. He had so many friends throughout the world.

“When he went to Greece he fell in love with it and came home and learned Greek and he did the same with Portugal and learned Portuguese.”

His last request was to go on one last beach holiday but was unable to because of his illness. His family has decided he will be buried in his beach shorts and flip flops, and they plan to take his ashes abroad.

Ferryhill Town Councillor Bernie Lamb said: “You come into the world with nothing and leave with nothing, what counts is what you do in between and David crammed in a lot.

“He always saw good in people and wanted to help be that people with special needs or at the allotments.”

Mr Newell’s funeral will be held at Durham Crematorium on Tuesday, December 1.