SAD Pershore shopkeepers have said they will miss the antics of a town character who has died.

Before his death, John Mills, known as Ginger, spent his days in Pershore's town centre often popping into shops several times a day to chat to staff.

Mr Mills, a Parkinson's sufferer, died aged 70, at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Thursday, February 7.

Jean Miles, a former Pershore shopkeeper, paid tribute to him: "When I had my shop, I saw him every single day four or five times a day. He was so well-known, a lovely chap."

Mr Mills, who had no family, attended Besford Court school, near Pershore, but later travelled in a camper van between Pershore, St Albans and North Wales before returning to his home town 10 years ago.

Mrs Miles, of Woodleigh, Drakes Broughton, said: "He never seemed to have any family, he was brought up by nuns. When I knew him he lived in flats, which used to be the old police station, on Three Springs Road.

"He used to go and buy loads of bananas and come in the shop and give them to you. He made so many friends, I never saw him in a temper. He couldn't read and write so he used to come in and ask us to help him."

Eileen Prosser, who runs Pershore Camera Centre, added: "He was very lovable and very trustworthy. He used to come in every single day to see me. He taught me cockney rhyming slang.

"He was lovely and he will be missed."

Gerald Cosnett, of Newlands, a friend of Mr Mills, said: "He was a nice chap, honest as the day is long and he just loved wildlife in general."

Mr Cosnett said he had found a newspaper clipping entitled 'Traveller saves dying dolphin' which told how Mr Mills had waded into the sea and towed a distressed dolphin back to shore. He said Mr Mills loved cards, darts and had once worked at the circus looking after elephants.

He said: "He always wore army gear but used to say, you can't tell a book by its cover', that was the way he liked to dress."

A funeral is planned for 1pm on Tuesday at Pershore Abbey, followed by a cremation at Worcester Crematorium.