A MASS congregation converged on the Salvation Army Citadel in Yeovil yesterday (Wednesday) to say a fond farewell to highly-respected scout leader Stewart Raeburn.

Mr Raeburn, 62, died on August 27 after a brave and short battle against cancer. The news has devastated the local Scouting community and many feel he will be an impossible to act to follow.

Moving tributes were made at Tuesday's full meeting of Yeovil Town Council. Many of the councillors knew Mr Raeburn, who was a scout leader at the Great Lyde Scout Group, on a personal basis and there is no shame in saying that tears were shed as prayers were said in his memory.

Former Mayor, Cllr John Cruddas, who presented Mr Raeburn with the Mayor's Award in 2000 for services to scouting, said: "Yeovil has lost a great son. As far as I'm concerned the scouts have lost a great person. Scouting was his life and we will all miss him."

Cllr Tony Fife described Mr Raeburn's death as a 'great tragedy for the town.'

"Yeovil has lost a man who was very worthy of honour and should have been honoured in other areas," he said. "He bore his illness with great bravery and dignity."

Cllr Fife said he was a 'shining light' to young people.

Another former Mayor, Cllr Julian Freke, whose own daughters were members of the Great Lyde Scout Group, said: "There are thousands of children who have become responsible members of society - all down to the efforts of Stewart.

"He will be very sadly missed. My daughters are devastated."

And Cllr David Greene added: "We can't speak of him in the past tense. Stewart will live on in the lives of the young people. He will live with us always."

Present Mayor, Cllr Ian Martin, said Mr Raeburn had made a 'great contribution' to the town and spoke of his heartfelt condolences to his family.