TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Clacton man who has died, aged 45.

More than 300 people turned out for the funeral of Bob Taylor, who died on December 2 after a short battle with cancer.

Mr Taylor, of Boxted Avenue, Clacton, had spent all his life in the town and worked as a builder and carpenter.

His widow, Miranda Taylor, said: “I always used to say he was a lovable rogue. He was passionate about work and his football.

“He had a lot of time for everybody, and he would go out of his way to help them.”

She said he would be remembered “with a lot of love and respect”.

Mr Taylor and his family only discovered that he had cancer in September.

They were devastated when a first round of chemotherapy did not work, but Mr Taylor chose to take a second round of treatment in the hope that it would give him more time with his family.

“He was very brave,” said Mrs Taylor.

Mr Taylor's funeral took place at Weeley Crematorium, followed by a reception in one of his favourite pubs, the Crab and Pumpkin, Jackson Road, Clacton.

Guests were asked to wear West Ham football shirts. Mr Taylor's family and friends are now planning to set up a trust fund for 12-year-old daughter Chelsea in his memory.