Tributes flowed following the death of a popular chiropodist who practised for more than 50 years.

Arthur Gulliford, known as Bob, died last week in Basildon Hospital after six years recovering from strokes and a short illness.

The 75-year-old worked at the former St Andrew's Hospital in Billericay before setting up his own practice in the 1950s in Wickford High Street.

He later had a new house built with a chiropody centre attached in Swan Lane, Wickford.

Youngest son Neil, 39, took over the practice with his sister Coral when his dad first fell ill six years ago .

He said: "Dad had thousands of patients over the years and saved lives by diagnosing people with cancer and other illnesses."

The father of three sons and three daughters was so respected some patients had been seeing him for more than 40 years.

Mr Gulliford's funeral will take place next Thursday, July 10 at St Catherine's Church in Southend Road, Wickford, at 1pm and then the Wickford Cemetery in Park Drive.

Published Thursday, July 3, 2003

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