A “true community hero” and town councillor has been named locally as the man who died in a road accident this morning.

Cllr Melville Durrant, was ward councillor for Penzance East and vice-chair of leisure & amenities and was on the planning committee. He also ran the Princess May Recreation Trust for many years.

Penzance Council posted on Facebook: "Penzance Council is greatly saddened by the tragic passing of Councillor Melville Durrant.

"Our deepest condolences to Melville's family at this time."

Posting on his Facebook page Cllr Tim Dwelly, councillor for Penzance East, said that it was his understanding that Cllr Durrant may have had a heart attack at the wheel of his van which he was driving after his daily early morning visit to the Rec.

“It will not only be his family and friends who will be devastated. The whole local community knew him so well for what he and other trust volunteers did for this amazing green space in Penzance. Saving it from closure, working to bring in new play equipment, a skate park, fairs and events, community planting and trails and more,” he said.

“I worked with Melville for many years to try to get the Rec transferred to the town council, so that its equipment could be modernised and new facilities introduced, including a community cafe.

“It is particularly moving that Melville died just after all this had finally been agreed. It is now about to happen. I am so sorry for his family and his friends. Rowlands Fair is closed today as a mark of respect. Many thanks to them for this.

He said having spoken to the town clerk this morning (James Hardy who worked with Melville since the very early days of the Trust), as well as Trust members and family, he said they would like to reassure everyone that, after a suitable time, there will be a memorial event so that the whole of Penzance can pay tribute to Melville, a true community hero.

Police were called to the Eastern Green and the Treneere roundabout at around 6.45am today (Friday, August 2) to an accident involving a white Ford Transit Connect and a white Isuzu Grafter light goods vehicle.

Emergency services were called to the scene, including the air ambulance. Unfortunately the driver of the Transit van, now reported to be Cllr Durrant, died at the scene.