SIR Desmond Heap, the Burnley-born solicitor who became one of Britain's most respected experts on town planning, has died aged 90.

The son of architect and surveyor William Heap, Sir Desmond lived in London and won national fame in 1967 as the man who sold London Bridge to the Americans.

The planner, lawyer and former local government chief returned to Burnley in 1990 for a special civic ceremony to unveil a plaque at the Adamson Street house where he was born.

The ceremony was planned to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Royal Town Planning Institute and Sir Desmond's 82nd birthday.

The prolific writer of planning and development books studied at Burnley Grammar School and Manchester University and spent five years as a prosecutor. In 1940 he was appointed deputy town clerk for the City of Leeds.

For 26 years, from 1947 to 1973, he was comptroller and city solicitor to the Corporation of London.

During this time, he sold the historic London Bridge to the Americans, who thought they were buying Tower Bridge!

He was a former president of the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Law Society and wrote influentially on planning and legal matters.

He was knighted in 1970 and awarded the RTPI gold medal in 1983.

In Burnley he described the decision to erect the plaque as "a great honour".

He leaves his wife, Lady Adelene, whom he married in 1945, as well as two daughters, a son and grandchildren.

A private cremation is planned and a memorial service will be held in London, the date to be announced shortly.

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