Former Oxford don and city councillor Lord Longford, who has died aged 95, was notably absent minded - to the extent that he once shot himself in the foot while in the Home Guard.

Towards the end of his life, Lord Longford was known as a campaigner against pornography and for the attempted rehabilitation of notorious criminals, including Moors killer Myra Hindley.

Lord Longford Earlier in his life, he studied at New College and taught at Christ Church, before representing Labour on Oxford City Council.

Together with Maurice Bowra, Lord Longford raised the South Company of the Home Guard's Oxford City Battalion.

Alan Lynn, 79, of Linkside Avenue, north Oxford, recalled serving under Lord Longford, who had shot himself when automatic weapons were introduced.

"He said 'this is nice', and promptly shot himself through the foot," Mr Lynn said. "He was one of the most absent-minded people I have ever met.

"He had three overcoats and on one occasion he lost all three - one at Paddington, one in the House of Commons and one at Christ Church.

"He was a tremendously popular man and had wonderful humility."

Former Witney MP Lord Hurd also paid tribute to Lord Longford's ability to persistently promote his own ideas, without taking offence when people opposed them.