A FORMER Frinton hotelier has died at the age of 81.

Robert Darvill was part of the family team who ran the Maplin Hotel on Frinton's seafront.

Mr Darvill came to Frinton in 1969 with his wife Lesley and in-laws, Denis and Peggy Hawkins, to take over the Maplin, having previously worked at the family’s pub, the Six Bells, in Chase Side, Enfield.

As a youngster he lived near the Six Bells and worked at a bakery next door.

Delivering bread to the pub was how he and Lesley met. They had been married for 58 years.

Mr Darvill, known to all as Bob, helped to create a real family atmosphere at the Maplin.

In a tribute Lesley said: “Bob always had a smile on his face and made the Maplin a happy place for guests and staff.

"Many of our guests would return year after year, and our staff were treated like family.”

Born in Suffolk, Mr Darvill was a keen Ipswich Town fan. His other sporting interests were sailing, horseracing and cricket, and he was a vice-president of Frinton Cricket Club. He was also a member of Arnold Lodge of Masonry.

He also took up flying and gained his private pilot’s licence at Clacton Airfield.

Deteriorating health led to his move into the Luff’s Home at Frinton, where he died on April 29.