A prominent figure in the community life of Bicester, Wilfrid Smith, has died aged 86.

Mr Smith, known as Wilf, of King's End, Bicester, was a supporter of the 1st Bicester Scout Group and for many years was chairman.

His father, the late Morley Smith, founded 1st Bicester before the Second World War and Wilf helped after the war when the group became 1st Bicester Sea Scouts.

Although he was never a leader, Mr Smith gave a lot of his time to the Scouts. He was a vice-president of Bicester District Scout Council and chairman of the warrants committee that vetted potential leaders.

Jill Edwards, group Scout leader with 1st Bicester, said: "He was always there when he was wanted. He also did a lot of work with voluntary organisations in the town."

Mr Smith and his wife Vera were foster parents for many years looking after between 20 and 30 children.