A MAN born to a farming family at St Weonards was adopted as a child by an uncle and aunt in Leominster and went on to become a pillar of the community.

Shopkeeper and funeral director Mike Evans, who has died aged 62, was a former lay preacher and was a special constable for 22 years. He earned a special commendation from the Chief Constable for arresting burglary suspects in 1982.

Mr Evans was, for some years, the outspoken voice of the business community in Leominster as president of the former Chamber of Commerce.

He ran Leominster's oldest business - furnishers and funeral directors Thomas Lewis & Son. The firm has had only four owners, all related, since it was founded in 1864.

Many Leominster families knew Mr Evans as the kindly man they turned to at times of sorrow. He accepted his last funeral booking at the end of January, a day before he was taken ill and admitted to the County Hospital. He died there last Friday.

Leominster traders were shocked and saddened by the death. One recalled Mr Evans's chamber of commerce role.

"He was very active and spoke up for Leominster," said West Street trader Pauline Hudson, who is also a former chamber president.

Mrs Hudson, who lived opposite Mr Evans in Stockenhill Road, Leominster, described him as a friendly neighbour who spoke to everyone. He was not married and lived for his dogs, two black Labradors. They are now being cared for at local kennels.

"This has been a great shock - it's a very, very sad loss," said Mrs Hudson.

Mr Evans was born at Treago Farm, St Weonards, which is still farmed by the family. He was brought up in Leominster by his uncle and aunt Mr and Mrs John Bowen.

Mr Bowen took over the Lewis family business from his own uncle. Mike Evans joined the firm when he left school, as did his long-serving assistant Eric Archer, 69, who was grieving the death of his employer this week.

"We were all friends here, there was no boss and worker," said Mr Archer. "This has been a very big shock". The Broad Street shop remains closed while its future is determined.

Mr Evans, was a former stalwart of The Brethren, a nonconformist church once based at The Brook Hall. He is to be buried at its Newlands Burial Ground, Leominster.

The funeral is tomorrow, Friday, at 11am in Leominster Baptist Church. Donations for the Diabetic Association may be made c/o Handley's Funeral Directors, Bromyard.