Dorset councillor Tony Ferrari dies after collapsing while running

Tony Ferrari was an experienced long-distance runner

A long-standing Dorset councillor has died after becoming unwell while running.

Tony Ferrari, 70, who represented Littlemoor and Preston on Dorset Council, was exercising on Monday evening when he collapsed.

Councillors stood in silence at Tuesday's cabinet meeting as a mark of respect.

Fellow ward councillor Louie O'Leary said Mr Ferrari's death was "absolutely devastating and unexpected news".

Louie O'Leary said Mr Ferrari was a public servant of the highest merit

He said: "He was a man dedicated to public service, an active ward councillor who served in many roles in local government for over 20 years.

"He was a friend, a mentor, a public servant of the highest merit and, most importantly, a dedicated husband, son and loving father and grandfather.

"His loss will be felt by all those he served and knew."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) described Mr Ferrari as "an experienced long-distance runner, including taking part in ultra-distance events of 100km or more".

LDRS said he had chosen to carry on "despite a medical problem during one of those events several years ago".

His wife, Erica, said she had moved with her husband to Dorset from Harrow eight years ago, where he had also served as a borough councillor.

She described him as an honest, self-deprecating man with a genuine care for others, LDRS said.

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