A FORMER fighter pilot and senior planning officer has died after losing his battle with cancer.

John Sanders, who worked in the county planning service for 40 years, flew Hellcats in the Pacific with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War.

Mr Sanders of Haw-ford, near Worcester, died on Good Friday at St Richard's Hospice, Worcester, aged 83.

His health faltered over the last two years, but he always tried to remain active and was still playing golf 12 months ago.

Mr Sanders joined Worcestershire County Council's planning de-partment in 1941 after leaving Hartlebury Gra-mmar School.

He took early retirement at the age of 57. In his early years working for the planning department he had responsibility for development control in Kidderminster, Stourport, Bewdley and Martley.

Mr Sanders was appointed a Worcester-shire assistant county planner in 1970 and was promoted to a similar post with the Hereford and Worcester County Council in 1974, when he was given responsibility for countryside matters.

The tree-planting project to redress the ravages of Dutch elm disease was one of his notable achievements.

He married Margaret in St Andrew's Church, Ombersley, in October 1953.

Mrs Sanders, who died in February 1996, was the headteacher at Claines School, a member of the Embroid-erers' Guild at Worces-ter Cathedral and an organist at both St Andrew's church, Om-bersley, and Claines church.

In his younger days, Mr Sanders played hockey for Worcestershire and the Midlands and was also a good all-round cricketer, playing several times for the County 2nd XI.

He was also chairman of Ombersley Cricket Club, where he raised money for the pavilion.

Mr Sanders was a member of Kiddermin-ster Golf Club and a founder member of Om-bersley Memorial Hall.

Malcolm White, aged 66, a close friend and neighbour, said: "He was a very honourable man, a keen sportsman and a man with a strong sense of integrity."

He is survived by his brother Philip and two sisters Cicely and Pauline.

The family issued a statement to say that Mr Sanders would be sorely missed. The date, time and location of the funeral is not yet fixed.