TOWNSFOLK packed a Stourport church on Friday to say farewell to an "ebullient" former town doctor.

John Bywater, who practised at York Street Medical Centre, Stourport, for 33 years, died last month aged 64 - just five years into his retirement.

Colleague Tim Chew, who knew him for almost 30 years, remembered Dr Bywater fondly.

"I think he was very well-known and very well-loved. He was an extremely good doctor and very knowledgeable.

"He was a fairly ebullient person usually full of the joys of spring," he said.

Dr Chew added Dr Bywater, who lived in Lincomb, was brought up in Shropshire and joined the practice in 1965.

He said he was a "country man at heart" who enjoyed shooting and fishing.

The senior partner read a tribute at Dr Bywater's "well-attended" funeral at St Michael & All Angel church.

Dr Bywater leaves a wife Louise, a son and daughter - James and Annelise - and three grandsons Thomas, Daniel and Robert.