A FORMER Tavistock mayor was surrounded by family and friends recently in celebration of his 80th birthday.

Graham Willis, who was Tavistock town mayor twice, celebrated his birthday in style at a local landmark that holds many memories from him.

Staying at the award winning Old Railway Station Cottages, he recalled memories good and bad, including the images of a constant stream of ambulances driving the D-day wounded from Tavistock North Station across the town square to the temporary hospital at Plaisterdown, contrasted with those of his childhood sweetheart, with whom he has now celebrated 50 years of marriage, stepping off the train from London where she had worked at the Bank of England.

Mr Willis has lived in France for several years but was a well-known local figure in the days when he ran his own butcher's shop in West Street. He was for years the club champion at Tavistock Miniature Rifle Club and a member of the town council.

He was mayor during the drought of 1976 and was featured on national media when the town's water supply was cut off and residents collected their water from standpipes.

His wife, two children, five grandchildren, friends and family travelled from around the country to be with him on his big day.