A former Mayor of Hexham and councillor has died at the age of 78.

Terry Robson, who served two terms as Mayor of Hexham between 2010 and 2015, died on Saturday (October 9) from complications following a stroke.

Born at Corbridge Maternity Hospital on April 4, 1943, Mr Robson lived his formative years at Chollerford where his father Harry ran the Chollerford garage, operating a hauliers, filling station and café.

After serving his apprenticeship as an electrician for WM Walkers, his adult years were spent living and working in Hexham.

Mr Robson managed several successful companies which he jointly founded and built with his business partners, his main focus being the electrical contracting business Robson Walker Ltd.

The company was founded in 1972, originating from a garage at his home in Valebrook, Hexham, and financed from a £300 Barclays loan. RWL prospered to become a well-respected contracting company and still continues in the town as a property developer and commercial landlord.

Mr Robson formed the training provider Tynedale Business Centre in the 1990's with his business partner, principally to support growing a skilled, trained workforce within the electrical business. The business then developed to guide many of the area's school leavers into sustainable employment, via apprenticeships, supporting local businesses.

He was a keen promoter of business and opportunity within Tynedale and was actively involved in the local chamber of trade, ultimately becoming a board member of the North East Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Robson was first elected as Conservative county councillor for Hexham East in 1985.

Over the following six years he also stood as a Tynedale district and Hexham town councillor, and enjoyed a stint as deputy mayor of Hexham.

Having stepped out of the political arena due to work commitments in the 1990's, Mr Robson returned as a town and district councillor in 2005.

A few years later he was re-elected to Northumberland County Council, this time in the Hexham Central with Acomb ward. He stood down in the 2017 county council elections.

During this year's local elections, he was still out talking to people and delivering leaflets.

Hugely dedicated to Hexham, Mr Robson was an active member of numerous organisations, including Hexham Round Table, of which he was a former chairman (1983). He was also a former president of the Hexham 41 Club (1994) and served as a president in the Hexham Rotary Club (2000).

He was involved in the Hexham Community Partnership, where he was part of the management group as well as a board member, and was instrumental in the creation of the Forum Cinema.

As well as organising the annual Remembrance Day Parade, which he relished, he spent five years on the board of the Queen's Hall Arts Centre.

Mr Robson married Judith Robson (nee Dodds) in 1964, and together they had two sons Steven and Andrew.

He later married Eileen Bellamy (nee Hunter) in 1990, until Eileen passed away in 2015.

In the last few years he has enjoyed adventures and a busy social life with his partner Mon Richford.

Mr Robson loved hill walking, especially in the Lake District, and was a fan of dancing when the opportunity arose.