Joe Jackson, vice president of the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, has died aged 87.

Mr Jackson had been involved with the morris side since the mid 1980s and although never a dancer himself, he was a much-loved member of the group.

Born in Cumbria in 1921, he worked in the region as a miner until the Second World War when, as a worker in a reserved occupation, he found himself unable to enlist.

Not to be outdone, he lied about his address, pretending to live at his sister's home in Abingdon, and was called up to serve in the Navy.

On leave at his sister's in 1943 he met his future wife Deena Hemmings, and the couple were married in 1945 after Mr Jackson returned home from the war.

Rather than moving back to Cumbria, Mr Jackson and his new bride decided to settle in Abingdon and moved in with Mrs Jackson's family in Ock Street.

After a stint working as a heating engineer Mr Jackson went to work for Boniface, a company that produced sheep hides, as a maintenance engineer.

He continued there until the company closed, at which time he moved across to Boniface's sister company Pavlova Leather in a similar role. He was to stay with the firm until he retired at the age of 65, working his way up to the position of chief engineer.

In retirement, Mr Jackson was called in as a consultant to advise on safety when the buildings had to be demolished.

Away from work Mr Jackson was a lover of all things mechanical and would often visit steam fairs and museums.

He and his wife were also keen gardeners and often entered - and won - Abingdon in Bloom for their front garden.

Mr Jackson's wife passed away in 2001 and, two years ago he suffered a stroke. He passed away at his home in Spring Gardens on July 6.

He is survived by his only son, Stuart.