TRIBUTE has been paid to a much-loved and respected Stanford-le-Hope man with a love of sport and community who has died.

John Green,93, was a vice president of the town's cricket club and president of the Stanford-le-Hope Recreation Ground User Group (SRGUG).

A cricket club spokesperson said: "John was a wonderful supporter of our club, watching many of our matches sitting in his mobility scooter which he usually parked at the river end of Stanford Rec by the tree.

"He always had a cheerful word for our players and was also a great source of advice to club members.

"After a recent spell in Basildon Hospital it was lovely to see John getting some fresh air at The Rec just over a week ago. As ever, he was happy to chat to members of our club that day.

"John will be greatly missed by SLHCC, the SRGUG and the town of Stanford-le-Hope where he was a popular and well-known character having run his sports and shoe shop in King Street for many years."