A FORMER scientist who took part in pioneering research on cancer treatment has died aged 70.

Dr John Anthony (Tony') Forrester, a former Leominster councillor, of Highmore Street, Hereford, died a week after being admitted to hospital with an aneurysm.

Dr Forrester, a Cambridge-educated biochemist, spent his career at the Institute of Cancer Research Chester Beatty laboratories at Fulham Road, London.

He played a major role in developing cancer drugs prescribed today.

Early in his career, one of his lab assistants was Ken Livingstone, now Mayor of London.

Like the future London supremo Tony Forrester was a left-winger. He was a long-time Labour Party member and a keen trade unionist.

His second wife Val was a councillor on Kensington and Chelsea Council for many years representing Pembridge Ward. The name led to the couple's interest in Herefordshire and they moved to Leominster when Tony retired in 1991. Sadly, Val died from cancer shortly after.

Tony, a former Labour member of Leominster district and town councils, found happiness when he met and married former Hereford Labour councillor Jo Kelly.

Ms Kelly paid tribute to " a very generous, very kind man with a brilliant mind."

Richard Westwood, a former colleague on the Leominster councils: "Tony was an asset to the Labour group because of his penetrating mind. He was a wonderful man with sparkling wit and he will be much missed."