Tributes have been paid to a local campaigner who spent much of his life championing the underdog and the disadvantaged.

Derek Julian of Weymouth has passed away aged 89 after a longstanding illness.

The former prison governor had his trailblazing work recognised by Princess Anne, who is to attend a public memorial service for Derek in the summer.

As governor of Holloway Prison in London in the mid 1980s he led a landmark reform programme.

He requested that women not wear prison clothing and they not be separated from their babies - this was the first mother and baby unit in the world. His work was recognised by Princess Anne, patron of Save the Children, and she spent a day with him to learn of his work and ambition.

Derek often worked with this paper, then the Dorset Daily Echo, to raise concerns and champion the underdog and disadvantaged across our county and nationally.

He was a regular correspondent to the Echo's letters page and would always do what he could to agitate and draw attention to issues he felt were important. 

Born in the Blitz in Chapelhay, Weymouth, from a humble start, he joined the Dorset Regiment at 18 via conscription and found himself in South Korea at 19.

He spent three years in the Dorset Regiment and served in the Korean War.

When finished with the Army he joined the Prison Service based at the Verne Prison at Portland - working himself through the ranks he eventually became Governor - he also served a term at Guys Marsh near Sherborne.

Once retired, Derek joined Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester as a Patient Governor and served for nine years - he was a champion of 'clean hands saves lives' before even a slogan was developed and lobbied MPs and routinely spoke with scientists and microbiologists to ensure public messages were shared.

Family friend Jane, remembering him with affection, recalls going to the Verne for lunch as a child and halfway into her lunch, Derek said 'see that man there serving the potatoes, he is in for poisoning his wife' - always the joker with a twinkle in his eye - he will be dearly missed by all those close to him and his dear wife Trish.

Derek had two children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

His daughter Professor Jane Reid said: "He was a truly remarkable generous man that should be acknowledged and celebrated."

A private family funeral has been conducted - a public memorial will be held at Holy Trinity Church in Weymouth in the summer - details will be published by the family via a public notice in the Dorset Echo.

Anyone who knew Derek and who wishes to attend is most welcome.

Princess Anne will be attending and will be unveiling a plaque as a tribute to the Dorset Regiment at Poundbury that Derek commissioned from his final days at Joseph Weld Hospice through Portland Quarrys.