A 'devastated' family have paid a touching tribute to 91-year-old Peter Brett, who died after a car crash.

Mr Brett, of Lytchett Matravers, was taken to Poole Hospital after a collision on Friday, September 18 involving a blue Mercedes A class car and a while Ford Transit Connect van.

His family said in a statement: “We are devastated to say that Peter is no longer with us, and he will be greatly missed by his wife, daughter and grandchildren.

“At the end of the Second World War, Peter and his wife of 67 years, Rosemary Brett OBE bought as their first home a motor gun boat, without the gun, as there were very few houses in Plymouth due to the bombing.

“After leaving the Navy, Peter became an engineer with British Cellophane and set up the first cellophane factory in Canada.

“Returning from overseas he bought a 100 acre farm in Somerset which he ran for 10 years.

“Peter was a keen sailor and would sail single handed to France and the Channel Islands even in his mid-80s. He had recently completed restoring a 20ft sailboat, and had been a member of the Royal Motor Yacht Club for some years.

“Peter was well known locally and supported his politically active wife Rosemary who had helped run the Poole & Mid Dorset & North Poole Conservative Associations since 1990.

“His niece is the European Member of Parliament for the West Midlands, Anthea McIntyre MEP.”

The transit van was being driven by an 84-year-old man from Swanage, who was not injured.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Police Constable Lee Savage of the Dorset Police Traffic Unit on 101.

 Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.