TRIBUTES have be paid to a former High Sheriff of Dorset who went above and beyond for the county.

Major General Mark Bond died peacefully in Dorset County Hospital on March 27 2017 at the age of 94.

In tributes he has been thanked for all his work and contribution to the county over the years.

His family owned the 3,003 acre site on the Tyneham estate near Wareham for more than 300 years.

In the autumn of 1943, villagers were given just over a month's notice to leave their homes, under the blanket of intense secrecy which cloaked all plans for D-Day

Maj-Gen Bond, a son of the landowning family, he had been a prisoner of war and only learnt of the takeover when he was picked up by his father from Wareham station in 1945.

The 'lost village' of Tyneham is now used as a firing range and owned by the Ministry of Defence.

Born in Dorset, Maj-Gen Bond also had links with Dorset County Museum, Dorset Police Authority and Dorset County Council.

He was also the High Sheriff of Dorset in 1977.

New chairman for Dorset County Council, Councillor Hilary Cox, paid tribute to Maj-Gen Bond at the full council meeting yesterday. (Thursday)

She said: "Mark Bond died on March 27. He served on the council from 1973 to 1985 and he was also the High Sheriff.

"He is also remembered for many other public and charity efforts for the county of Dorset."

Members of the meeting were asked to stand and give a minutes silence in his memory.

In 2014 Maj-Gen Bond attended an event at Crossways Library celebrating 25 years at the heart of its community.

He opened the facility back in 1989 when he was Deputy Lieutenant for the county.

Richard Drax, election candidate for South Dorset, who knew Maj-Gen Bond well and met him on many occasions, said: "He was a fine gentleman with a fine military record who was a very loyal supporter to us.

"He was a lovely man who was well known throughout Dorset.

"My condolences go to all his friends and family, of whom I am sure there are many.

"He was a great contributor to the area, communities and its people."