A man who served as a magistrate for 21 years died at the weekend.

Peter Goble, who served on the Stevenage bench from 1971 and was deputy chairman from 1983 to 1992, died at the age of 89 at his home in Hitchin on Saturday.

Mr Goble also served as a magistrate representative on the county’s police committee for 18 years and was a member of the magistrate’s courts committee.

The father-of-one also had a career in engineering with British Aerospace and the de Havilland Aircraft Company, before retiring in 1988.

His wife Betty said: “We had 52 wonderful married years and he was a modest man of great integrity. He will be sorely missed.”

Mr Goble was born in Eastleigh, Hampshire, in 1924. He moved to Stevenage after marrying his second wife Betty, in the Isle of Man, in 1961. They both volunteered for the Citizens Advice Bureau.

In 1975 the couple moved to Hitchin and lived in The Aspens.

Mr Goble also served as a school governor in Hitchin between 1981 and 1987, at what has now become The Priory School.

Mr Goble is survived by his wife Betty, daughter Gillian and his twin brother John.

A memorial service is being arranged and details can be obtained from Austin’s Funeral Directors in Hitchin.