A DEVOTED councillor who served Brent for nearly 10 years has died.

Former lecturer Dr Alexander Castle, known as Alec, was first elected as a Labour councillor in May 1998 for Tokyngton ward and spent four years at Brent Council before taking a break from politics.

He joined the Liberal Democrats in February 2006. Just a few months later he was re-elected to the council by voters in Dollis Hill ward, and held on to his seat in the May 2010 elections.

The 66-year-old, who lived in Kings Drive, Wembley, before moving to Crispian Close, Neasden, had been battling cancer for some time prior to his death last Thursday.

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Paul Lorber said: "Alec devoted much effort to taking up the concerns of his constituents and working in his community. Despite the problems of ill-health, he continued to attend council meetings until very recently.

"He particularly worked hard to improve the lives of vulnerable people in his ward and was an advocate on their behalf in much of the hard work he did for Brent House Partnership."

Council leader Ann John (Labour) said: "I was sorry to hear of Alecs death and I know that I speak on behalf of every Labour councillor in expressing our condolences to his family and friends.

"I remember that after Labour had reversed plans to remove the Monks Park footbridge, which connects Tokyngton ward with my ward of Stonebridge, Alec campaigned to improve lighting and install CCTV on the bridge."

Dr Castle served on the councils executive committee at one time, and had chaired both the overview and scrutiny committee and the councils Willesden area consultative forum. He served on the board of Brent Housing Partnership from 2006 to 2010.

He gained a PhD in biochemistry, lectured in information technology and worked for Voluntary Service Overseas, spending more than a year in Nigeria helping to set up an IT system for a school.

A by-election to fill his seat on Brent Council will held in due course.

A private, family funeral is being held for Dr Castle next Tuesday.