Bill Iseley.

A Freeman of Hartlepool and former town mayor has died at the age of 80.

Bill Iseley, a former Cleveland County councillor, was Mayor of the County Borough of Hartlepool in 1968 and was made an Honorary Freeman in 1998 for his services to the town.

Born in West Hartlepool in 1929, Mr Iseley served as a labour councillor for almost 45 years after first being elected as a local councillor for the Owton ward in 1961.

He also represented the Brinkburn, Jackson and Grange wards until he retired as a councillor in 2007.

During his time he held some key positions on the council including chairing the transport committee from 1967 until the privatisation of bus services in1993. He also took a great interest in planning and was chair of both the planning committee and development control committee.

Away from public duties, Mr Iseley worked as a railway clerk and as an insurance agent. He also had a love of music and was a trustee on the Sterndale and Preston Simpson music scholarship award schemes.

Hartlepool Council Chairman Councillor Carl Richardson, who was a personal friend, said: "Bill Iseley had made a major contribution to the development of Hartlepool over the last forty years through his involvement with planning.

"He was also a very loyal servant to the Labour party since he joined at the age of 14. He dedicated most of his life to public service and he will be sorely missed."

Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond added: "To serve the town like Bill Iseley did for so many years is a major achievement. He was a good ambassador for Hartlepool and always very professional with everything he was involved in."

Mr Iseley died recently following a long illness. He leaves two sisters - Betty Brotherstone, who was his Mayoress in 1968 and Doreen Marshall who lives in Canada. He is also survived by four stepdaughters. Mr Iseley will be given a Civic Funeral.