A hospice has paid tribute to its president following his death.

Alan Sayles, president of Farleigh Hospice in North Court Road, Chelmsford passed away inside the inpatient unit at the hospice.

Mr Sayles died on November 18, he was 85.

The hospice paid tribute to their president, who Alison Stevens, chief executive of the hospice said will be "very much missed".

In a statement, she said: "I am sorry to share the sad news that Alan Sayles, Farleigh Hospice President died on our Inpatient Unit.

"Alan was instrumental in the setting up of Farleigh and has remained a very active supporter up until the time of his death."

Mr Sayles was one of the hospice's founders when he was first approached to work on the project by fellow founding member, Glenda Lance in 1980.

The charity was established in 1984.

Mr Sayles was appointed as the company secretary and trustee before he was later appointed as the chairman of the hospice.

He spent almost 15 years in the role before his retirement in 1998, when he was appointed as president of the hospice while he volunteered as an ambassador.

A spokesman for the hospice, said: "Alan's continued support of Farleigh Hospice included the purchase and development of the original hospice building on New London Road, working with other Essex hospices to set up demarcation lines, and the formation of the Forum of Chairmen of Independent Hospices to create wider links between hospice Trustees. 

"Alan was also involved in the formation of the National Council for Palliative Care and was asked to chair a committee regarding matters of governance and relations between nursing staff and trustee bodies."

Mrs Stevens paid further tribute to the former president, who has been a key part of the hospice since the very beginning.

She said: "Alan represented Farleigh at every possible opportunity, cheering people in as they completed events, regularly participating in our weekly services in the Sanctuary and quietly guiding and supporting so many of us from the side, he will be very much missed.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Alan’s wife Deborah and their family and we will share details of Alan’s funeral arrangements once received from his family."