TRIBUTES have been paid to the 'smashing' co-founder of a city allotment shop following his death at the age of 92.

Ken Lander co-founded an allotment shop on Lansdowne Road, Worcester as part of the Worcester Allotment and Garden Association in the 1960s - volunteering there for around 60 years.

Formed of an old chicken shed and an allotment site, the shop and its volunteer team sold all manner of items from seeds to fertiliser.

Former shop volunteer, Peter Ryland, said: "Ken was a smashing guy - he was always well-liked and the whole team had a wealth of knowledge on gardening."

Mr Lander, who grew up in Worcester, died on Friday, August 30 at the Woodland View care home in Droitwich.

He left the allotment shop in 2022 having been the organisation's treasurer for two decades.

Mr Ryland added: "Ken had a quiet resolve and was a really strong character.

"When those around him panicked, he stayed cool - so he never missed a penny."

Ken Lander (top row, left) and other volunteers at the allotment regularly donated to Worcester charities each year. (Image: Peter Ryland)

Mr Lander and other volunteers donated to Worcester charities each year through the profits made at the shop.

Mr Ryland said: "The team must have donated thousands over the years, and it was always charities with a base in Worcester such as St Richard's Hospice and Maggs Day Centre."

Born on January 31, 1932, Mr Lander was schooled at RGS Worcester and completed national service before joining the family printing business, B.J Lander and Sons in 1952.

He married his partner, Joyce, at St. Stephens Church in Worcester in 1954.

Former chairman of the Worcester Allotment and Garden Association, Bill Lawrence, said: "We made a lot of good friends there (at the shop), all of us volunteers and keen gardeners.

"Ken was treasurer for a number of years and was always straight as a die.

"He used to do lots of gardening at home, so he was passionate."

Mr Lander is survived by his son Dave Lander and daughters Jackie Lander and Sue Johnson.

His funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, September 19 at The Vale Crematorium in Fladbury.