A carpenter and joiner who was prolific in a number of community groups has died.

Reginald Chumbley was born and bred in Walton, and took his first foray into the trade as an apprentice with Felthams Builders in 1946 at the age of 15.

He was then called up for national service and spent two years in the Royal Artillery 29th Field Regiment as a lance bombadier, serving in Cyprus, Egypt and the Suez Canal.

On his return, he worked for Walton builder Ernie Hobern, before starting out on his own as a carpenter and joiner.

In 1954, Mr Chumbley got married to wife Molly, with whom he later had a daughter, Pauline.

Socially, he helped form the Walton Sea Cadets and served on its committee for many years.

He also spent a lot of time in the Walton backwaters on his own boat, the Arkle.

Mr Chumbley, who was 77 when he died, was a member of the Royal Artillery Association, the Walton British Legion, the Fairways Committee and the Walton Town Hard Association, of which he was president for many years.

At home in Hall Lane, he had a pet goat called Honey.

His daughter Pauline said: "He was a character - he had a good sense of humour and always liked a joke.

"He was willing to help anybody."

Mr Chumbley's funeral is being held on Friday at Walton Parish Church at 1.15pm.