TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known Bishop's Waltham man who died over Christmas.

John Watts, a retired engineer, journalist and naval veteran, was an active volunteer for decades and helped found many groups in the town.

The 87-year-old, of Eastways, was raised in Bournemouth and served in the Royal Navy for more than 20 years.

Moving to Bishop's Waltham in 1971 after a stint as an engineer for Mullard in Southampton, Mr Watts soon became a key community figure. He helped found the town's Rotary Club, Residents' Association and Citizen's Advice Bureau as well as the Meon Valley Bowling Club and Meon Valley Lions.

As chief rural officer of Hampshire Council of Community Service he helped villages maintain their facilities and low-cost housing.

Peter Yeoman, of Bishop's Waltham Rotary, said: "John worked tirelessly for the club for many years, helping to raise substantial funds over the years and will be sadly missed."

Mr Watts was a long-time editor of the parish magazine, also serving as a parish councillor and reporting on local and county news for the Chronicle's sister paper, the Daily Echo.

His long history of volunteering and public service also includes roles at the local care group, luncheon club and Brownies. He was also a governor at Swanmore Secondary School, now Swanmore College.

In 1991 Mr Watts left the world of journalism to pursue his lifelong passion for painting, selling chiefly townscapes and home portraits.

His standing in the community eventually led him to run for Winchester City Council in 1986 as a joint candidate for the Liberals and SDP.

"It was a good turnout for the funeral," said friend John Stream. "He was a really nice guy, a very caring man and very caring for everybody."

John Charles Watts died on December 21. He leaves behind Valerie Watts, to whom he was married for 48 years, and has four children, three stepchildren, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.