HE was head of one of the county's oldest families and a patron of Mordiford - Robert Hereford has died aged 91.

Known as 'Bobby', the well-known landowner hails from the family of Herefords that has held Sufton Court at Mordiford since Norman times. He passed away peacefully on September 23.

Paying tribute to his father's memory, James Hereford said: "He was a most kind and generous person, he loved people and animals and he gave supremely of his time to anyone who needed his help."

He will also be remembered by his wife Berenice, daughter Millborough, grandchildren, Mark, Henry, Robert and Joe, foster children and their children.

He was known to many through his 20 years service to the council during which time he was involved with both the Hereford Rural District Council and the South Herefordshire District Council.

Bobby was born at Sufton Court on August 1, 1910. He was educated at Oxford and then Royal Military College Sandhurst.

He joined the King's Shropshire Light Infantry serving at home and in India before the war. Major Hereford fought in the Italian campaign before serving in Germany, England and Egypt.

When his father died in 1952 he returned to the family seat, sitting a course at the Royal College of Agriculture at Cirencester and taking great pleasure running the family farm.

The community stalwart also became a churchwarden and a governor at Mordiford Primary School.

In his time, he had been a keen horseman, taking part in point-to-point races in the army and at Shropshire.

He was also a cricketer and played with the former Frome Valley team at Stoke Edith.

"He dedicated his life to the people of Mordiford," added James.

Robert Hereford's funeral will take place at Mordiford Church on Friday September 28 at 2.30pm.