A DEVOTED fundraiser, campaigner and former Banbury councillor has died in his late 90s.

Jack Friswell OBE served as leader of the former Banbury Borough Council, deputy lieutenant of Oxfordshire, magistrate, alderman, town mayor in 1960 and president of both the town's rugby and rotary clubs - but is likely to be best remembered as its most passionate advocate of raising money for good causes.

Over the course of his life Mr Friswell raised more than £5 million for appeals including St Mary's Church, the Horton General Hospital, the Fine Lady on a White Horse statue and others. He was an active supporter of campaigns to preserve services at the Horton.

He received his OBE title in 1980 and in 2006 was the first to become an Honorary Burgess of Banbury, the equivalent of being awarded freedom of the town.

Current town council leader Kieron Mallon said: "Jack had tremendous energy and enthusiasm and Banbury would be much the poorer without his efforts.

“There was a time when St Mary’s Church needed £300,000 for urgent repairs and Jack raised the money in a matter of days.

“He was one of Banbury’s most well-respected citizens and will be remembered for his lifelong devotion to the town.”