A chef who came to Helston with the Royal Navy and went on to become the town's mayor has died.

Danny Keay arrived in Helston in the mid 1960s, when he was stationed at RNAS Culdrose, having originated from Eastbourne in East Sussex.

He stayed on in the area after leaving the navy, living in Helston, then Porthleven, before moving back to Helston.

Having been a chef onboard navy ships, he went on to transfer these skills to deep sea trawlers, going out to sea for six days at a time to cook for the crew. He continued this for 15 to 20 years.

Keen to get involved in the life of the community, he served on Helston Town Council for 30 years, joining in June 1979 and only standing down in January 2009. He took the office of mayor between 1995 and 1997.

He was also elected as a member of Kerrier District Council, first as an independent before joining the Liberal Democrats, although he never quite managed his ambition of become a county councillor.

His daughter Briony Trerise said: "He just enjoyed helping people. If anybody had a problem he would do his utmost to try and work it out one way or another."

She said one of his proudest moments was during his first term as mayor, when he accompanied Prince Michael of Kent for the official opening of the Culdrose Community Centre.

Danny died on March 30, on what would have been his 62nd wedding anniversary to late wife Helen, who died in 2010. He was 82. 

They had six children, 13 grandchildren and ten great grand-children.

His funeral will now take place next week, on Thursday, April 18 at 11am in St Michael's Church. Anyone attending is asked to wear blue, as his favourite colour as a supporter of Chelsea Football Club.

Afterwards there will be a short service of cremation at Camborne Crematorium, before a gathering at Helston Cricket Club, which will be an anniversary party in recognition of the date of his death.

Danny died at home with his family beside him, following a battle with prostate cancer.

Briony added: "His family are very proud of him and are going to miss him immensely, and loved him to bits. He was such a gentleman; he's 'andsome."