TRIBUTES have been flooding in for one of Burnham’s hardest working community members.

Ian Sisterson, 69, of Maldon Road, Burnham, sadly passed away last weekend from cancer, surrounded by his family at Farleigh Hospice.

Ian had lived in Burnham for several years, and was well known for his work and contributions to the neighbourhood housing plan.

His last job before retiring was managing director for Ikea. He was also Vice Chairman for the Men’s Forum, and volunteered as a driver for dementia patients at the Knightswood Day Centre in Southminster.

He also campaigned to have wind turbines delivered by river rather than road to Southminster to avoid disruption for residents in 2014.

Burnham Mayor Ron Pratt said: “Ian worked diligently for the town to make it a better place, especially with the local neighbourhood plan.

“It is so sad another stalwart of our community has passed away. I would like to dedicate the Neighbourhood Plan to Ian’s memory and have his name inscribed on the inside cover.”

Town Councillor Wendy Stamp said: “Ian only lived in Burnham for six years but he got involved and helped out all he could. He held the council to account, and was a very good man. I will miss him.”

Retired civil servant Ken Harris, of Maple Way, who worked with Ian on several community projects, described him as an “extremely capable” man.

He said: “I was very proud to work with him. He was an extremely active and very capable man, he worked so hard for the community.

“He was very involved with the neighbourhood plan and of course he did so much work for getting a zebra crossing installed on Church Road.

“He made a big contribution to Burnham, and was always very approachable.”

Ian lived with his wife Jane of 30 years, and her three children Dan, Roger and Nick, who he helped raise as well as his son Grant from a previous relationship. He also had eight grandchildren.

Ian’s wife Jane described him as a “wonderful” husband and a committed community worker.

She said: “He was completely immersed in the Burnham community. He would always be fighting with the people who were struggling to get things done with the town council.

“If he decided to help with something, he was 100 per cent behind it and worked tirelessly to get things done.

“He absolutely loved Burnham, he was always walking along the beaches and Quayside.

“He was a truly wonderful husband. The last words he said to me was ‘I love you’.”