Politician, journalist and businessman David Thorpe was laid to rest last Friday, with mourners paying their respects to a well-respected 'gentleman.'

A large congregation attended Peterborough Crematorium last Friday afternoon as the city’s former mayor was laid to rest, with a eulogy delivered by city councillor Marco Cereste.

Among those attending was Peterborough City Council leader Councillor John Holdich.

He said: “As you would except for a much-loved person like Dave it was standing room only.

“People who knew him from not only his council and party work but from his sporting interests and from the world of business and journalism paid their respects.”

David spent 12 years as a Conservative councillor, representing West ward from 1996 and then Orton with Hampton ward from 2004.

He was deputy mayor for John Horrell in 2005 and donned the mayoral robes in sad circumstances after John passed away during his year as mayor.

Moreover, David enjoyed a hugely diverse career which saw him work as a news reporter in London and Belfast and a sub-editor on the then Peterborough Evening Telegraph.

And he also took over in 1985 as manager of the city’s ice hockey team the Peterborough Phantoms (then called the Pirates) and returned to rescue the team financially when it was in danger of folding at the end of 1992.

Cllr Keith Sharp, Liberal Party member for Dogsthorpe, said: “David was a true gentleman, one of the old school councillors you respected and, when they said something, they meant it.

“He did a lot for Peterborough over the years, and the ice hockey team would be not here if it wasn’t for him.

“It was nice to see so many people there to pay tribute to him.

“Everyone was talking about him and the good work he did over many years. There were people of all walks there and he deserved it.”

Outside of journalism and politics David also stepped in to save the day alongside fellow councillor Michael Fletcher at engineering firm Westcombe Industries where 25 jobs were set to be axed.

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara was a close of friend of David.

He said: “David was a dear friend and I will miss him enormously. He was a lovely man who showed warmth, kindness and generosity to all those he met, and over many years he helped so many people.

“He most certainly has left his footprint on the local landscape, and at this difficult time my thoughts and prayers are very much with his wife Janet and his family.”