TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a popular Liss horticulturist.

Arthur Liddiard, 80, who died following a short illness, was a long-serving member of three horticultural societies – Liss, Sheet, and Bramshott and Liphook.

He was chairman of Sheet Horticultural Society and vice-chairman of Bramshott and Liphook and his expertise and love of flowers, especially sweet peas and dahlias, bought a succession of trophies and awards from all three over many years.

Born and brought up in Kent, Mr Liddiard served in Berlin during the Second World War with a Kentish regiment. It was during his time there that he served as a guard in Spandau Prison where Rudolph Hess was held.

After the war, Mr Liddiard worked as a stockman for many years at Flexcombe Farm on the outskirts of the village where he lived with his wife Barbara. The couple, who had six children, later moved to Flexcombe Cottages and were believed to have been married for more than 60 years.

A true friend of the the Scouting movement, Mr Liddiard was also pivotal in the formation of the 1st Liss Scouts in the 1970s and was its Scout leader for a number of years.

But his greatest love, according to George Dance, president of Liss Horticultural Society, was horticulture and the growing of sweet peas and dahlias, the former at national level for more than 20 years.

"Mr Liddiard was always willing to talk and help people if they needed it and was always the first person to show how they should exhibit their entries to shows," continued Mr Dance, who knew him for more than 30 years.

"It is a sad blow for many people in the area. They have all lost a good friend and a man always ready to help," said Mr Dance.

And he concluded: "The horticultural societies will find him hard to replace," said Mr Dance.

Winner of the Marsdon Trophy for the most points in the combined spring and summer shows at Liss on at six occasions in recent years, Jim Duckham, from Liss Horticultural Society, said Mr Liddiard had been a successful member of the society for more than two decades.

"When any of the societies were short of people on the committee Arthur would stand in," said Mr Duckham.

"He did things by example and put in lots and lots of entries as a way of boosting the exhibitors and providing competition at the shows."

Mr Liddiard's funeral was held in West Liss on Tuesday and was attended by more than 100 people. He leaves his wife Barbara, six children, 23 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.