A former town mayor and ex-Harwich and Parkeston footballer has died of cancer.

Ralph Knight, who was mayor of Harwich three times, died in his home aged 77 on Monday at 9.15am.

The retired electrical supervisor, of Howard Avenue, Harwich, contested three general elections for the Labour Party and also represented them as a town, district and county councillor.

Mr Knight was also known as an accomplished amateur footballer, and played for Harwich and Parkeston in the 1950s, British Rail’s Great Britain team and won three badges playing for Essex.