A PARISH councillor with “many achievements” has died aged 89.

Douglas ‘Dougie’ West was born on October 24, 1929, in Winterbourne Stoke, where his parents ran the Bell Inn throughout the war years.

During this time Dougie was one of the first people in the village to get a car, and he used this investment to set up a family business venture of his own.

“[A petrol station] could bring freedom and prosperity to the village so he proceeded to ask his father, Ernest, if he could sink a petrol tank on the opposite side of the road to start a small petrol station,” explained Dougie’s daughter, Debbie.

“His mother Dorothy would be pulling a pint and suddenly would have to run over the road to serve petrol to the likes of Jimmy Edwards. The gent’s toilets were also across the road - imagine what an adventure that would be now.”

Despite contracting Tuberculosis at a young age, Dougie then spent most of his working life at Boscombe Down in the transport department, where it was his duty to send planes all around the country to other RAF stations.

It then became his job to test personnel who drove vehicles across the site, before he retired in 1994.

Dougie married his wife, Margo, in the 50s at St Peter’s Church in his home village, and together they had a daughter and son, Debbie and Clive.

This was followed by three grandchildren - Leanne, Samantha and Daniel.

According to Debbie, Dougie “always had a vested interest in politics”, and was responsible for many small victories during his time as an Amesbury parish councillor, including involvement with Amesbury Bypass planning and launching double white lines through Winterbourne Stoke, which she described as “a subject close to his heart”.

She added: “[Dougie] also fought for better sanitation in council houses and managed to get inside toilets for the people of Newton Tony.

“Housing in the village was built on a need to have basis and Dougie was involved in achieving the building of homes in Cleve View, Meadow View and St Peters’ Close.

“He was invited to the Queen’s Garden Party on two separate occasions for his endeavours.”

Dougie then went on to serve in Salisbury City Council for ten years and was chairman of various select committees.

“Dougie also championed the rights of way for walkers especially when crops were grown over byways. He just had so many achievements and was such a great character,” Debbie added.

His funeral took place on October 24 at St Peter’s Church – Dougie’s 90th birthday.