Peter Gibbons, who was one of the longest serving councillors in Britain and a leading public figure in the Oakengates area for more than five decades, has died aged 91.

Mr Gibbons racked up 52 years’ service as a Labour councillor at town, district and county level and, as an early member of the Telford Development Corporation board, helped shape the new town of Telford in its formative years.

He was the first chairman of the newly created Wrekin District Council in 1974.

Mr Gibbons finally stepped down at the age of 80 in 2000 when he retired as a councillor so that he could spend time with his family. In tribute to his service to the community, he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Telford & Wrekin in 2009.

His family said today: “It is a hugely difficult time for the family but we are comforted by the fact that dad lived life to the full and will leave a lasting legacy, both to us and to the borough.

“He was one of the founding fathers of Telford & Wrekin and a huge supporter of the communities in Oakengates and Wombridge.

“To us he was either dad, grandad or GG – a devoted and caring man who was never happier than when surrounded by his family and friends. He is irreplaceable – a one-off – and will be deeply missed.”

He is survived by his wife, Ellen, 88, and four children, Peter, Gail, Nick and Jemma. He has 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Henry Raymond Gibbons, who was generally known as Peter, hailed from Basingstoke. He became the youngest member of the old Oakengates Urban District Council when he was elected at the age of 28 in 1948.

He had joined the RAOC in 1940 and served in the invasion of Normandy with the 49th Infantry Division. He received severe head injuries and spent six months in hospital, later seeing service in Malta. He was demobbed in 1946. He had worked at GKN Sankey, retiring in 1980.

Funeral details will be announced later.

By Toby Neal