A MUCH-loved Punch and Judy puppeteer from Worcestershire has died.

Professor Guy Higgins was the voice behind the quarrelling duo and entertained children and adults alike for more than three decades.

The skilful entertainer would set up his show on the Weymouth seafront every year without fail since 1974, but was forced to retire in 2004 due to health worries.

Mr Higgins, of Lower Howsell Road, Malvern, created all his own puppets. From an early age, he was fascinated by theatre and entertainment, visiting music halls and learning puppetry skills, which eventually launched his own career in the 1950s.

His connection to Weymouth began in 1974 when he came across an advert in The Stage calling for a resort entertainer.

He shot to national fame in the 80s after introducing a puppet of TV's Dallas villain J R Ewing.

The resulting publicity earned him appearances on the Generation Game, Wogan, the Children's Royal Variety Show, and work as an adviser on the long-running television series Hi-de-Hi.

He also took his show to numerous children's parties and talks about his unique profession.

Mr Higgins was a member of the Inner Magic Circle and the Grand Order of Water Rats, a fraternity of showbusiness performers, which includes Norman Wisdom and Paul Daniels.

He was 73 years old when he died on Tuesday, June 19. A spokesman of Puppeteers UK, of which Mr Higgins was a member, said: "Guy, you are now with that army of Punch and Judy showmen who, over the centuries has made countless numbers of children and adults laugh. So thank you. And in your own words spoken from your booth, from here I can generate happiness and that's what being an entertainer is all about, making people happy."

He leaves behind his wife Margaret, daughters Catherine and Louise, and grandchildren Charlie, Skye and Michael.

* The funeral takes place at noon on Monday, July 2 at Worcester Crematorium.