TONY Dobson whose wife Pam is the Town Clerk of Marlborough died suddenly today near his home in Salisbury Road.

Mr Dobson, believed to be in his early 60's, collapsed and died as he walked across the recreation ground behind his home towards the Town Council's garages and workshops.

The head of the council's outside staff Jim Ward tried to resuscitate Mr Dobson and was joined by paramedics from an ambulance and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Mr Dobson, however, died at the scene, just a few steps from his home in the Recreation Ground Cottages.

He came to Marlborough three years ago from Filey in Yorkshire when his wife was appointed town clerk. They have two daughters.

He was a talented man, a skilled photographer and ran his own Mr Fixit small building repairs business.

Mr Dobson loved the sea and coast and whenever the chance arose he and wife would take their speedboat out.

He was no stranger to the Wiltshire area having worked in the former Princess Alexandra's Hospital at Wroughton during his RAF service days.

It was the second tragedy to strike the pair of council owned cottages in just a few months.

Earlier this year his next door neighbour Mick Plank, 65,a groundsman employed by the town council, collapsed and died at work.