Tributes have been paid to a "popular" butcher in Moreton in Marsh who was "full of life" after his death last week.

Richard Lewis, who worked as a butcher at Todenham Manor Farm, died last Wednesday at the age of 76 following a short battle with cancer.

Mr Lewis worked at the farm shop for just over 10 years and travelled from his home in Gloucestershire every day to work a 10-hour shift.

Darren Bryson, general manager at Todenham Manor Farm, said Mr Lewis did his job "out of love and nothing else".

"He was a lovely bloke," said Mr Bryson.

"Up until recently he was still working full-time. He did it out of love for the job and nothing else - even at 76.

"He was always chatting with customers. People would come to the shop not to buy meat but just to have a chat with him, it was their way of having someone to talk to."

Cotswold Journal: Mr Lewis was described as a lovely bloke with a cracking sense of humourMr Lewis was described as a lovely bloke with a cracking sense of humour (Image: Lianne Lewis)

Mr Lewis, also known as "Dickie", was a regular face at Todenham Manor Farm Shop for a little over 10 years.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters Julie and Lianne - with the latter describing him as a "character and a gent".

"He was everything to us," said Mrs Lewis.

"He was a keen angler and was a great mentor to younger people.

"He had a cracking sense of humour. He was a terrific dancer - he would always dance the jive with my mom.

"He loved his job and loved working at the shop. He was just such a great character and a gent, and - above all else - a great dad."

"He was generally just a nice bloke," added Mr Bryson.

"He was full of life, down to earth and was always happy.

"I take my hat off to him because he worked from 7-5 most days and travelled down from Gloucester where he lived - which was always an hour or hour-and-a-half journey.

"He was 100 per cent popular with all of the customers at the farm shop.

"Customers broke down in tears when they found out he had passed away.

"You don't meet many people like him - he was different but in a nice way."

As a keen fisherman, Mr Lewis would travel to enjoy his favourite pastime, visiting the likes of Ireland and Norway.