FORMER councillor and business owner, David Simms, has died of septicaemia aged 73.

Born in Freshwater Bay, Mr Simms attended Newport CE School and Carisbrooke Grammar School.

He obtained a degree at Portsmouth Polytechnic, and worked at British Hovercraft, Westland Aerospace and Chemring before running his own accounting business ­— South Island Accountancy.

He served on Newport Borough Council for the Carisbrooke Ward, before moving to Godshill after marrying his wife of 43 years, Jackie.

Mr Simms then served as a parish councillor at Godshill.

During his younger years he played tennis, rugby and squash. He enjoyed watching tennis and rugby in his later years and went to watch London Irish play.

Mr Simms leaves behind his wife Jackie, step daughter Lucy, grandchildren Hollie, Dale, Chance and Luckie, great granddaughters Harlow, Delilah and Vienna, sister Anne, nephews Patrick and Matthew, and his great nieces Olivia and Emily.