WORCESTER'S former environmental health chief, John Hartley, has died at the age of 68.

When he took early retirement in 1995, Mr Hartley was the city council's longest serving top officer, having been with the local authority for 35 years.

In all, he served more than 40 years in local government.

Paying tribute today, former Evening News political journalist Mike Grundy said: "I knew John throughout his time at Worcester and always had great admiration for his efficiency, wealth of knowledge of his subject, his ready explanations and responses to Press enquiries and his humour, dispensed partly with his twinkling eyes.

"I'm sure he'll be greatly missed by everyone who knew him because he was such a genuinely nice man."

Mr Hartley, who lived in Southall Avenue, Worcester, hailed from Liverpool.

He entered local government from school, joining the staff of the water offices of Liverpool City Council.

After National Service with the RAF in Germany, he qualified as a public health inspector at Liverpool and moved to Worcester in 1960.

He began his role with the city council in charge of the public health department and then took over the role of the new-style environmental health chief.

A keen sportsman, Mr Hartley excelled at golf, tennis and swimming.

He died in Worcestershire Royal Hospital after a short illness, leaving a widow Jean, a son and daughter and grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at St Stephen's Church, Droitwich Road, Worcester, on Friday, March 21 at 12.15pm.