ONE of the much-loved ‘regulars’ at the Old Ham Tree public house in Holt has died after a long illness.

Malcolm Holt, 65, was well-known to villagers and frequently to be found sitting at the end of the bar in the pub during many an evening.

Yesterday, the pub’s landlady, Stephanie Carr, paid tribute to Malcolm, saying: “Malcolm wasn’t just a regular or the guy who sits at the end of the bar, he was truly one of our best friends and we loved him like family.

“A huge hole has been left in the pub, the village, our lives and the lives of anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Malcolm. He was a just a top, top bloke.”

Mr Holt, of 4 Hawcroft, died onTuesday, 20 June, at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, surrounded by his close family.

Born in Winsley to Jack and Violet Holt, he was part of a large family, having seven brothers and sisters. Only four now survive, John, Julie, Myrna and Angela.

He leaves a widow, Sheila, three children, Jemma, James and Jolene, and four grandchildren, Joshua, Oliver, Liam and Jacob.

Mr Holt worked at the Nestle cereal plant at Staverton for many years. Latterly, he had been a maintenance man at the Claremont care home in Corsham.

His funeral is at the West Wiltshire Crematorium at Semington on Friday, 7 July at 10.45am, with a wake afterwards at the Old Ham Tree pub. Later, his ashes will be interred at St Catherine’s Church in Holt.

The family have requested mourners attend the crematorium in colourful clothes, with no black ties. Hats are optional, as Malcolm was a ‘hat’ man.