ONE of Worcester's most colourful characters has died.

George Webb, better known to the population of the Faithful City as Chicken George died at a Worcestershire nursing home last Thursday - he was 86.

For about half a century Chicken George became synonymous with Worcester, dancing along to the music of street buskers, much to the amusement of the general public.

No one knows how the nickname Chicken George came about but common rumour is that his erratic dancing reminded people of a pecking chicken.

So well-known was he that artists even included him in paintings when capturing Worcester street life.

Although many buskers were not fazed by his particularly quirky sense of rhythm being a backdrop to their music, there were occasions when he found himself involved in phyical encounters with some artists who didn't see the funny side.

Also, much to the anger of some, he would often litter the air with profanities as he went about his day.

In an interview with the Worcester News in 2002, by then confined to a buggy with leg trouble, he admitted he had a fascination with street musicians.

He said: "I love their music. It makes me want to dance."

Chicken George was fiercely patriotic and claimed to have fought in the war at Dunkirk and killed a man in armed combat fighting for the Worcestershire regiment.

He recounted: "I got a bayonet wound in me 'ead from Dunkirk - but I got im. I lived and ee didn't. It's because I got that strong constitution, see.

"I never give in and won't back off. I'm the one as keeps on gooing'. It's just a crafty little way I got."

He was well known for his attendance at Remembrance Day parades at the cathedral and religiously attended regimental reunions.

In recent years he had lived in Lowesmoor, but deteriorating health meant a recent stay in hospital. Unable to care for himself he spent the last few weeks of his life at St Cloud's Nursing Home, in Callow End, where he passed away on Thursday, September 7.

Sue Jones manager of St Cloud's, said George's character in the last days of his life remained as vibrant as ever.

She said: "He never lost his sense of humour. It stayed with him to the end."

"He was a very popular character. All the girls knew who he was and he was totally charming."

City and county councillor and former mayor of Worcester Derek Prodger paid tribute to him.

He said: "This little guy was always cheerful and a real character. He liked his local pubs and he gave people a bit of entertainment.He was nice to have a conversation with and its sad that characters like this disappear and are rarely replaced."

He was single without family and as yet arrangements for his funeral are yet to be finalised.