TRIBUTES have been paid to a community campaigner and proud Dorset resident who has died suddenly.

Michel Hooper-Immins of Weymouth died at his home at Radipole aged 70.

Friends are rallying round to support his wife of 45 years, Joan.

Born and bred in Weymouth's Park District and proud of his Dorset roots, Mr Hooper-Immins was involved in many local organisations and helped to promote them in his role as publicity officer.

He was also a public governor at Dorset County Hospital and chaired the local NHS patients’ forum, the Weymouth & Portland Health Network.

Mr Hooper Immins trained and worked as an accountant but his love was always writing for publications, with a particular speciality in food and drink.

He was a regional judge in the Campaign for Real Ale’s Wessex Pub of the Year competition.

Former borough councillor Peter Rendall, who knew Mr Hooper-Immins through his membership of the Weymouth Ancient Order of Foresters and the Weymouth & Portland Louviers Society, said: "He was a true gentleman.

"He spoke his mind – and he spoke out for what he believed in."

Mr Rendall added: "As publicity offer for the groups he was involved in he put his heart and soul into it.

"He will be greatly missed as a friend and colleague."

Mr Hooper-Immins lived in Leicester, where his wife hails from, for almost 30 years before the couple moved to Weymouth in 2000.

He had a weekly column in the Dorset Echo in the early 2000s.

Former Hardye’s School student Mr Hooper-Immins was involved with many organisations including the Old Hardyeans, the Campaign for Real Ale, the Society of Dorset Men, the Ancient Order of Foresters, Freemasons, and the Weymouth and Portland Louviers Society of which he was a founding member in 1958.

Secretary of the Society of Dorset Men Hayne Russell said: "He edited the newsletter and was in fact about to produce the next one when he sadly died.

"He was a great supporter and a great lover of Dorset, and helped to promote the Society with his writing and photographs."

Mr Hooper-Immins became a campaigner on health matters.

Chairman of Weymouth and Portland Locality, NHS Dorset CCG Dr Karen Kirkham said: “Over the years we have worked closely with Michel who was a very passionate campaigner for both local services in Weymouth and Portland and the local hospital, not being afraid to challenge us where and when he felt it was needed.

"We are saddened by the news and offer our condolences to his family.”

Dorset County Hospital Chairman Mark Addison said: “Michel was a long serving hospital governor and was well known to a wide range of people in Dorset.

"He was a strong supporter of the hospital’s patients and their needs.

"We pass on our thoughts and sympathies at this very difficult time to Michel’s wife Joan.”

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

Dorset Echo:

In one of his last public acts, pictured above, Mr Hooper-Immins presented £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation in December on behalf of the Honorary Court Highclere No. 1 Weymouth of the Ancient Order of Foresters. He was chief ranger (president) of the group last year and chose the BHF to receive funds as he had been treated for heart problems.