A TOWN is saying goodbye to a man whose passing marks the "end of an era".

Ronald Ready, who died on Friday aged 83 after three-quarters-of-a-century in Stourport, was a former builder, developer and councillor in the town who helped build up the riverside amusement park to what it is today.

"He was a character known throughout the town," said his son John Ready. "Even though he came from the Birmingham area he was a Stourport man through and through.

"A lot of people who I've spoken to realise it's an end of an era. He was one of the old school. He was on HMS Coventry during the war and he got the British Empire award for bravery."

Mr Ready, 46, pointed out: "If you walk around the riverside it's stuff he's done and created. And there are buildings all over the place he's built over the years - shops, bungalows and houses.

"I wish I could do a fraction of what he did!"

The funeral takes place tomorrow at 2.15pm at St Bartholomew's Church, Areley Kings.

Ronald Ready leaves a widow Mary, John, and two daughters, Marian and Claire.