FORMER Fenland businessman and hotelier Brian Foster has died aged 86.

Best known as the proprietor of Glendon Hotel, formerly situated on Sutton Road in Leverington, Mr Foster had a full, varied and interesting life and career.

Born in Wisbech in 1924, he grew up on his father’s farm in Parson Drove before leaving at the age of 17 to join his uncle’s seed firm, J.D. Gillett & Son.

His poor eyesight meant that he spent most of the war in England, serving first in the Royal Corps of Signals as a driver and then in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a hygiene and sanitary inspector.

In the 1950s Mr Foster set up his own business, turning the family home, Glendon, into a guesthouse.

Glendon Hotel became one of the most successful businesses in Wisbech and many local people still have fond memories of time spent there.

Mr Foster was a member of the Board of Governors at the Boys’ Queen’s School and served on the committee of the town’s Board of Trade. He also grew increasingly involved in local politics and was elected to become a Conservative County Councillor in the 1960s.

Brian retired from the hotel business in 1988. He spent the next 22 years of his life in happy retirement at The Limes in Tilney All Saints.

Mr Foster’s son, Ashley, said: “He was a devoted family man and successful local businessman. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and many local people alike, but will be remembered with great fondness, respect and admiration.”