'Dedicated servant of his community'

BELOVED FAMILY MAN AND FORMER MAYOR MOURNED

- By SUE KIRBY

Brian and his late wife, Margaret, ran the Duke of William Inn in Skelton from 1986 to 2000

TRIBUTES are being paid to a former publican, 'Santa' and mayor who has died at the age of 86.

Brian Briggs was well known in the Redcar and Cleveland area, not only as a former mayor, but also for running a pub in Skelton.

He was also known to generations of children as Father Christmas, dressing as Santa for 20 years.

Brian, who was Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland in 2009/10 and served as a councillor for Skelton from 2003 to 2015, died on Christmas Eve. As well as a borough councillor, Brian was a parish councillor at Skelton and Brotton Parish Council for 20 years.

He also served as chairman of Cleveland Fire Authority and, with his late wife, Margaret, was very well known for running the Duke of William Inn in Skelton from 1986 to 2000.