Dilton Lightbourne, a businessman, musician and member of the Progressive Labour Party, has died. He was 81.

A former PLP chairman for Warwick, Mr Lightbourne for many years operated Lightbourne Brothers Hardware, a family store in Southampton, as well as other businesses.

Also an accomplished player on the musical saw, Mr Lightbourne performed at churches and various musical events.

His skills were caught on film by former MP Dale Butler, alongside other self-taught musicians, in various documentaries on local artists.

David Burt, the Premier, said Mr Lightbourne was a stalwart of the PLP and MP Neville Tyrrell described Mr Lightbourne as “a character and an activist, certainly not only in the party, but in our neighbourhood, where he looked out for people”.

A service to celebrate Mr Lightbourne’s life will be held today at 11am in the Bright Temple AME Church at Spring Hill in Warwick.