ONE of Hilperton’s best known and much-loved characters has died after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Alan Harbour died aged 68, on Sunday, February 16. He leaves a wife, Joanna, 62, and a daughter, Stephanie, 32.

The family said: “Everybody loved Alan. He was an amazing character and very charismatic man.

“He was a fantastic husband and father and our best friend.”

Mr Harbour died after his life support was switched off by staff at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. He gave the gift of life to others after registering as an organ donor many years ago.

He was the son of George and Irene Harbour, of Sutton in Surrey. Mr Harbour had two brothers David and Kenneth.

When he was young, Mr Harbour won a scholarship to study at the Bath Arts College and came to live in the area.

He met Joanna when she was 17 and the couple set up home in Trowbridge after they married. Stephanie was their only child and they have no grandchildren.

Mr Harbour worked as a rights of way officer for both Bath and North East Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council before taking early retirement.

He later launched Heavens Bazaar at Margaret’s Buildings at Lansdown in Bath as a family-run boutique selling designer and vintage clothing, plus jewellery, antiques and retro furniture.

The shop is run as a partnership with his wife and daughter.

Mr Harbour, of the Knap, Hilperton, was also a regular customer at the Lion and Fiddle public house in the village.

The family are planning a quiet family funeral at St Michael’s & All Angels Church in Hilperton at 11.30am on March 12, to be followed by a wake at 1pm at the Lion and Fiddle.

The family have launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for his funeral. It has already raised £2,720.

To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/fund-raiser-for-the-most-wonderful-man-in-my-life