Roy 'Nobby' Brown, a keen sportsman and popular village character, has died at his home at Fieldside, Upton, aged 76.

He was born in Compton, Berkshire. When he was two the family moved to Didcot, where he grew up on the Vesta estate in Tavistock Avenue. A keen sportsman, he represented St Birinus School, Didcot, as a sprinter before going on to work as a fencing contractor.

His brother, Morny Brown, of Didcot, said: "He lived hard and played hard."

Mr Brown, a widower, leaves sons Steve and Darren and two stepsons, Howard and Kelvin Greenough. The funeral is at St Peter's Church, Didcot, tomorrow at 2.30pm.