MALVERN man Dave Boycott, who died rescuing his wife's dog from the path of a train, was a man who would "do anything for anyone".

His wife Pat and daughter Sue have paid tribute to the husband, father and grandfather who "didn't have a mean bone in his body".

Mr Boycott, aged 73, was struck by a train on the track near Jamaica Road, Malvern Link, at about 1.35pm on Sunday.

His wife was in Wales and he had stayed behind to look after the nine-year-old German Shepherd, Shanty, who escaped and survived.

"I was at a get-together for my son Michael's birthday and Dave didn't come because of the dog. He idolised her and because I suffer with arthritis he always walked her, although he had arthritis too," said Mrs Boycott.

"He died to save my dog. She is going to be very precious."

Police traced Mrs Boycott in Dolgellau to bring her news of the accident and she returned home to Matthias Close, Malvern Link, that night.

The couple would have celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on June 24, but both had been married before and their extended family has rallied to support Mrs Boycott.

"It has been traumatic, but the family is a great support. We are very close and love each other dearly," said Mrs Boycott.

Mr Boycott was well known and respected in Malvern as licensee of the Prince of Wales in Newtown Road for nearly 30 years.

He kept the pub with his wife Barbara until her death in 1979 and then with Pat after their marriage in 1983.

After his retirement he worked as a steward at Bransford Golf Course and then at the Town Club in Malvern.

Sue Arwen, Mr Boycott's daughter by his late wife, said her father was very special.

"You never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He would do anything for anyone, but he found it difficult to receive," she said.

Both women felt a good memorial to Dave Boycott would be a bridge at the Jamaica Road level crossing.

"How inappropriate to have a level crossing at the end of a playing field where children are constantly playing," said Mrs Arwen.

"It's completely unmanned and there are no sleepers across it. When we went to put some flowers on the spot where Dad was killed there were droves of kids walking over it."

The funeral will take place at Worcester Crematorium on Tuesday at 1.30pm and will be conducted by Canon Graham Lyall.

There will be family flowers only but donations in memory of Mr Boycott can be made to the Arthritis Research Campaign.