A FORMER leader of Vale of White Horse District Council has died after a battle with cancer.

Former maths teacher Terry Cox who lived in Goosey, passed away last Wednesday.

The 68-year-old Conservative, who was head of maths at The Cherwell School in Oxford in the early 70s, was first elected to the Vale in 1979.

During his long stint on the council, he represented three wards and served as planning committee chairman.

In 1989 he took over as leader, a position he held until 1995 when the Liberal Democrats won control of the council. He served as leader of the opposition until 2001. After he stood down as a councillor last year, members unanimously voted to make him an Honorary Alderman in recognition of his service.

Current Vale leader Matthew Barber said: “Terry was a very popular member of council who really led by example.

“His work as a councillor for more than 33 years earned him the utmost respect from everyone on both sides of the political divide.”

Mr Cox, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer three and a half years ago, leaves his wife Sue. They had no children.

His funeral will take place on Friday, October 26, at All Saints’ Church, Goosey.