SIR Berwick Hungerford Lechmere, 6th baronet, who was for many years a leading public figure in Hanley Castle and Upton-upon-Severn, died on Sunday at the age of 83.

Although retired from public affairs in recent years, Sir Berwick ran the family estate at Severn End, Hanley Castle, from 1952 and was chairman of governors at Hanley Castle Grammar School (now the high school) for nearly 30 years.

He served on Upton Rural District Council and then Malvern Hills District Council from 1957 to 1988 and was a Justice of the Peace, sitting on the Upton bench of magistrates from 1966 to 1988.

Sir Berwick also served on the parochial church council of St Mary's, Hanley Castle, for 20 years and became patron of the parish in 1965.

In 1969, he was Deputy Lieutenant of the county and in 1977 was Vice-Lord Lieutenant.

He was a member of many committees, including the Three Counties Agricultural Society, of which he was president in 1982, and the Country Landowners' Association, which he chaired for many years, being made a life vice-president on his retirement.

Besides being area commissioner of the St John Ambulance Brigade, Sir Berwick took an interest in many charities, including the Laslett, Corbett and Beauchamp charities, all connected with almshouses.

Educated at Charterhouse and Magdalen College, Cambridge, he qualified in estate management and became an articled pupil to the Duke of Somerset's land agent, developing a lifelong interest in forestry.

During the war, having failed medical tests for the armed services, he joined the Ministry of Agriculture as a land commissioner in Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

Afterwards he was agent to the Charborough estate in Dorset, owned by Admiral Sir Reginald Plunkett Ernle-Erle-Drax, until he took over the family estate at Hanley Castle.

In 1954, he married Norah Garrett Elkington ("Nonie"), who survives him. Sir Berwick succeeded to the title of baronet on the death of his father in 1965. It now passes to his cousin, Reginald Lechmere, of Colwall.

A memorial service will be held at St Mary's Church, Hanley Castle, on Tuesday at 2pm.