A HORSE-drawn hearse will bear the coffin of one of Malvern's most colourful characters as he is carried to his final resting place in the Priory churchyard today (Friday)

James Arthur William Nott, of Wilton Road, died last Thursday, aged 92, in Salisbury hospital from thrombosis.

Mr Nott lived in Malvern all his life, as had his father and grandfather before him. He taught pottery at Malvern College for 60 years, until finally retiring at the age of 90.

Mr Nott discovered his passion and talent for the craft after he temporarily blinded himself as a child trying to dynamite a tree, and was given Plasticine to play with. He developed the art to such a degree that he was able to delight his grandchildren and great-grandchildren by making model animals with his hands behind his back.

The illustrious Nott family has lived in Malvern for generations. Mr Nott ran the same grocery shop on Church Street that his father did, while his grandfather was one of the agitators who led to the formation of the Malvern Hills Conservators.

Mr Nott's funeral was due to take place at 11am at Malvern Priory.

"He loved architecture and beautiful buildings and he loved Malvern," said Valerie Davies, his eldest daughter.

"He was a huge fountain of knowledge, always reading and always on the ball and alert. He was like someone aged 30 years younger than he actually was.

"After he retired, he looked after himself at Wilton Road and tended his allotments."

Mr Nott is survived by two daughters, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.