Long serving Lib Dem councillor dies

Former leader of the council Keith Lock has died following a stay in hospital

LONG-serving and well respected West Berkshire councillor Keith Lock has died.

Mr Lock (Lib Dem, Mortimer), who was born in Kent, is believed to have died of pneumonia at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, on Saturday evening.

First elected as a district councillor in 1973, Mr Lock had lived in Mortimer for over forty years.

He served on Newbury District Council from its formation, and was the chairman from 1993 to 1994.

As former leader of the Liberal Democrats, with the exception of 1999, he served as the leader of Newbury District Council, then West Berkshire Council, from 1994 until 2002.

Stepping down as leader of the Liberal Democrats, he was called “the father of the council” by incumbent leader Lena Rust.

Formerly a governor at the Willink School, he was married to fellow Mortimer ward councillor, Mollie Lock, who he leaves behind with three daughters.