TRIBUTES have been paid in the Village News magazine to Goodrich shop owner Malcolm Bishop who has died after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Bishop moved to the south Herefordshire community, with his wife Sue, four years ago to take over Jolly's, the village shop.

According to the eulogy given by his daughter Karen, although his health was already threatened at the time of the move, Malcolm took on the challenge in order to 'embrace life again'.

It seems it didn't take long for Malcolm and Sue to be drawn into the life of the village and he was involved in setting up a Millennium committee to raise money for the stained glass window in Goodrich Castle.

Through his efforts and those of the hard-working committee, he saw the fund reach its target shortly before his death.

Paying tribute, Village News writes: "The village will miss him greatly but will remember with affection his open-minded generosity and his remarkable courage."