Former Cockermouth mayor Myles Huck has died at the age of 94.

Born in Egremont in 1923, Mr Huck was the son of a policeman and one of six children. The family relocated to Lorton where they lived in the police house and Myles attended Paddle and Cockermouth schools.

When World War II broke out, Mr Huck joined the RAF as soon as he could and was posted overseas, landing eventually in Nairobi in Kenya where he worked as a pilot, transporting crew and taking aerial photographs.

It was there that he met the love of his life, Molly. Following the war, they made their home there, with their children Sheena and Robert born in Kenya and Fiona and Mandy born in the UK.

After the war, Mr Huck joined the Ordnance Survey Unit as a draughtsman, for the East African Power and Lighting Company, surveying the length and breadth of Kenya. A very keen rugby player he achieved international honours with East Africa.

The Hucks returned to Cockermouth in 1960, with Mr Huck joining them four years later when he completed his work.

When he retrained as a teacher and worked at Carlisle Technical College.

Mr Huck was always active and enjoyed being involved in Cockermouth Amateur Sports Association, St Cuthbert’s Church in Lorton and Cockermouth Town Council.

He was mayor of Cockermouth in 1975, being proactive in driving forward the swimming pool initiative, with his wife always firmly behind him, quietly supporting.

The couple returned to Lorton on his retirement and remained there, in a home they converted together. Mrs Huck died in 2011.

Mr Huck was a great reader, historian and thinker, encouraging education and all the possibilities it could bring. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to embrace it and was very proud when they did.

Even at the end of his life he could recall, in great detail, people and events from his past. He was cherished by his family.

Mr Huck died peacefully on May 18 surrounded by his children.

His funeral will be held at 11am on Wednesday at St Cuthbert’s Church, Lorton.