HE served his county for 16 years, was awarded a CBE for his services to education and has been described as the strength and reputation of Hampshire.

Tributes have been paid to former Hampshire County Councillor Philip Merridale CBE who passed away recently.

Mr Merridale represented the Baddesley Division of Hampshire County Council between 1973 and 1989 before being appointed an Honorary Alderman of the County, which recognises outstanding service to Hampshire.

A shining light for sixth form colleges in Hampshire, he was later awarded the CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by The Queen for his services to the public, in particular to education.

He served as Chairman of the Hampshire Education Committee for many years and was particularly influential in moving Hampshire towards the model of sixth form colleges which continues very successfully today.

As well as being involved in local government, Philip was an antiques dealer with a shop in Stockbridge specialising in antique furniture.

Following on from his successful career in politics, the loving father retired with his wife Anne, firstly to Rutland and latterly to Blagdon in North Somerset.

Roy Perry, county councillor for the Romsey Rural Division, described his former colleague as the “strength and reputation of Hampshire” while paying tribute to Mr Merridale and added that he “helped guide the county”.

He said: “ I also acknowledge the encouragement he gave me in the early days of my own local government service when I was first elected to Test Valley Borough Council.

“In particular his commitment to Sixth Form Colleges has given education in Hampshire the quality and national reputation it has.

“Colleges like Peter Symonds and Barton Peveril that serve this part of Hampshire send more students to Oxbridge colleges than almost any other state schools.”