A FORMER Oxford magistrate, who served for nearly 30 years, has died aged 72.

Malcolm Brown, of Eynsham, was also a retained firefighter and former chairman of Eynsham Social and Sports Club.

He died on September 11 following a long illness and more than 300 people attended his funeral.

His son, Phil Brown, hailed his father as “a really caring bloke” who gave him and his siblings “the ideal childhood”.

Mr Brown was born in 1938 and was brought up in Princes Street, East Oxford. The eldest of three children, he lived in the same road until leaving in the mid 1950s to carry out his national service.

He then met his wife, Grace, and the two were married in March 1960. They moved to Eynsham in 1962 and lived there ever since, raising their three children, Phil, Sue and Rob.

In 1964, Mr Brown joined the fire service as a retained firefighter, working from the station in the village.

In 1980, Mr Brown was invited to join the bench of Oxford magistrates. He remained in the role until compulsory retirement at the age of 70.

Mr Brown was also chairman of Eynsham Pre-school group and helped to run the Baptist Church Youth Club.

He was a keen Aunt Sally player in the Wychwood League and passionate supporter of Oxford United.

A collection at Mr Brown’s funeral at St Leonard’s Church raised more than £1,000 for vascular disease research.