A FORMER chief executive of South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council has died, aged 83.

Alan Stansfield, who died at Crosshill Nursing Home, Stanhope, County Durham, was the first chief executive of the council and steered it through the process of reorganisation in 1975.

He began his career as a solicitor working in local government in Lancashire, before moving to South Shields in 1953, where he was senior solicitor to the council and then deputy town clerk - a post which he held for more than 20 years.

He married his wife, Elsie, in 1940 while he was serving in the RAF.

He was posted across Britain as chief armourer with ground crew, loading explosives on to Lancaster bombers.

Mr Stansfield was also a prominent Freemason and was a past master of St Lawrence Lodge, South Shields, a past junior grand deacon of the United Grand Lodge of England and past principal of Hedworth Royal Arch Chapter.

He was also founder president of Harton Rotary Club, South Shields.

When he retired, he moved with his wife to Westgate, Weardale, to be near their elder daughter Janet, where they opened up Weardale Antiques and Crafts.

Mr Stansfield leaves four children, Janet, Robert, John and Vicky, and nine grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at Westgate Methodist Chapel, Weardale, at 2.15pm on Wed-nesday.