Lord Lieutenant loses cancer battle

Buy photos » Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Michael Brinton seen here opening Pebworth Fire Station has died after a battle with cancer. (s)

THE QUEEN'S representative in the county has died following a battle with cancer.

Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Michael Brinton passed away on Monday (April 23) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. He had been fighting cancer over the last year.

His wife Angela and three children have asked for privacy while they come to terms with the loss.

A spokesman for the Lord Lieutenancy Office said: "A private family funeral will be followed by a memorial service in Worcester Cathedral in the Autumn."

Mr Brinton was appointed to the position of Lord Lieutenant in August 2001 and was deputy for ten years before. His duties included organising royal visits to the county, chairing the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee responsible for the selection of local magistrates and he was actively involved in supporting and recognising the work of the public sector and voluntary organisations within the community.

Born in Belbroughton in 1942 he went to Eton but never attended university instead choosing to spend time in Europe perfecting his German, French and Italian before joining the family firm, Brintons Carpets aged 21.

He chaired the company, which was passed down through six generations of his family, for almost 20 years and served as non-executive director and honorary president. He was also a keen collector of classic cars.

The Queen will be sending her condolences to Mr Brinton's family.

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