Mr Harlow was a borough councillor for Skirbeck for many years and served as mayor in 1987.

He was also known as one of the town's butchers, with a shop in the Market Place, on the corner of Church Lane.

The family lived above the shop and later moved to a number of places before Mr Harlow finally moved to Skirbeck Court.

Mr Harlow's daughter Jane Adams said: "I suppose you could say he was one of the original controversial councillors. He said what he thought. He was Conservative but was so pro-Boston."

"I used to be his agent," added Mrs Adams.

"We couldn't go down the road without him seeing someone he knew. While the rest of us would be slogging away canvassing houses, he would only do one house. If they weren't a customer, he knew them from somewhere else. He knew so many people.

"Dad and Ralph Jenkin, who was mayor before him, remained friends. They kept up on what was happening and discussed Boston."

As mayor, the honour of Admiral of the Wash was also bestowed on Mr Harlow – a memory held by his family who had the hat, which was part of the regalia, mounted.

Mr Harlow's funeral took place at Boston Stump last Thursday.