Tributes are being paid to the former Epsom and Ewell Mayor who died in an accident at the Brands Hatch race track on Saturday (July 31).

"Much-loved" councillor and former mayor Robert Foote was named as the man tragically killed in an accident at the course while volunteering as a marshal.

Robert was in his 60s, and his sudden death prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from those in Epsom, the motorsport world and beyond.

Among those paying tribute to him were Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling, and Formula One racing star Lewis Hamilton, who wrote on Instagram:

"Devastated to hear of the passing of a marshal at the Brands Hatch Circuit. These volunteer marshals are what makes racing possible, they are heroes. My heart is with his family".

On Tuesday (August 3), an online book of condolences was set up by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) available for members of the community to leave their tributes to Robert.

Councillor Hannah Dalton, Chair of the Residents’ Association said: "We were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a wonderful friend and colleague. Rob served the local community for over eighteen years, putting local residents at the heart of everything he did. His untimely death is a tragedy and the Council have set up an online book of condolences so that the people of the borough can pay their own respects and tributes to him."

Robert had served as a councillor for the Cuddington ward since 2003, was Deputy Mayor of the borough in 2013-14 and served as Mayor during 2014-15.

During his time as a councillor in Epsom and Ewell, Robert chaired the Crime Prevention Panel and the Council’s Licensing Committee, served on the Neighbourhood Policing Panel and several of the Council’s committees including Leisure, Social, Environment, Crime and Disorder, Planning, Standards and Strategy & Resources as well as Human Resources Panel.

As Mayor his chosen charities were Epsom Foodbank, Epsom and Ewell Citizens Advice Bureau and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

He was born in Bristol. He spent 30 years in the airline industry and ran a car servicing business and worked as an MOT tester.

He moved to the borough 19 years ago along with his wife Rosemary, who sadly passed away in December last year.

Councillor Dalton added that he would be "greatly missed" by the community and also quoted lines from Robert's speech on becoming mayor in 2014, reproduced here:

"Most of my friends…will know me as a car mechanic, some as an aircraft engineer and some as a close friend and for me the latter is priceless.

"During my life, I have had numerous interests, hobbies and different jobs and that has brought me into contact with many people from different backgrounds and cultures.

"This has stimulated an interest in individuals and people from all walks of life, rather than interaction with mechanically propelled vehicles, which has been my day job….The feeling of excitement that I am now experiencing as Mayor can only be compared with my first solo flight as a private pilot’!"