WORLD-RENOWNED physicist Professor Cyril Hogarth collapsed and died shortly after leaving a parish council meeting on Monday night.

The popular 82-year-old had just left Gerrards Cross Parish Council offices in East Common, when he collapsed in the nearby Memorial Centre car park around 8pm.

Efforts were made to save him at the scene after two people from the Mem-orial Centre rushed to his aid. They took instructions from emer-gency staff over the phone to try and resuscitate him as they waited for the ambulance crew to arrive. He later died in Wexham Park Hospital, Slough. It is believed Prof Hogarth suffered a heart attack.

His wife, Dr Audrey Hogarth, a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, said: "He was perfectly fine all day. He walked out of the door with his car keys and dropped dead literally. He never regained consciousness."

Dr Hogarth, 80, of Orchehill Avenue, Gerrards Cross, a former magistrate, added: "He was absolutely great. I can say he was honest, caring, totally trustworthy and totally reliable. He was a very good father."

His daughter, Celia Stuart-Lee, of Thame, said: "We went into the bank to say that he had died and the girl behind the till burst into tears. He was very well liked."

Diana Hepburn-Park, clerk of the parish council, said fellow councillors were in shock at his sudden death.

She said: "He was fine at the commons meeting. He was quite bright and going to write a report for me.

"They the councillors are taking it very badly. A lot of them worked with him for so many years."

Gerry Hoare, director of services for Gerrards Cross Community Association, which is based at the Memorial Centre, said: "He was always here. He used to help run the Community Association book stall. He also runs our annual quiz which is coming up. He was very well-known."

Prof Hogarth, a father of three, was formerly the head of Brunel University's physics department. He was the first physics professor at London University and became pro vice-chancellor for a year. He was also the chairman of the Gerrards Cross Conservative Association and a South Bucks district councillor for 20 years. He was married to Dr Hogarth, president of the Gerrards Cross Community Association, for 55 years.

Dr Hogarth said: "He was always joking."

The family hopes to hold a memorial service in January for the community to pay its respects.