TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who was instrumental in the improvements on Falmouth's Beacon Estate.

Graham Whitfield died on Sunday night of a suspected heart attack.

He leaves a widow Linda, children Lee and Andrea and grandchildren.

Grenville Chappel, of the Beacon Regeneration Office, was a close friend, he said: "Graham was a background boy, he always left me to do the talking, but he was right in the thick of it.

"He was a quiet giant. He always had his view, stated it, but didn't try to put anyone's backs up." Mr Whitfield moved to Cornwall from Stoke on Trent about 20 years ago and ran a hardware shop on Killigrew Street.

He had been a semi-professional football player with Port Vale, but it was Manchester United that was his life – he never missed a game on television. He and Linda also ran amateur football leagues for adults and children in Stoke.

When he moved to the Beacon Estate after retiring he soon got involved and was a founder member of the Old Hill Community Association.

He later became chairman, a post he held until his death at the weekend.

He was also in the Beacon Partnership and held the chairman position since 2000.

Mr Whitfield, who was in his early 60s, was also on the Carrick District Forum of Tenants and led the Void team, which checked properties for re-let to ensure they were up to standard.

His funeral details have yet to be announced.