TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who helped raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the poppy appeal.

Bernard Page, who was born and grew up in Burnham, died last month aged 80 after suffering a heart attack.

Mr Page was born in 1936 and attended Burnham County Primary School and later Maldon Grammar School.

A keen sailor he was a member of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and was a sea scout and a cub scout.

Prior to joining the Navy aged 16, Mr Page was a butchers apprentice in the town.

Mr Page served in the Navy for 12 years reaching the position of chief petty officer by the time he left.

Aged 30 he then began work for Rolls Royce and moved to Derby two years later.

He retired in 1991 but returned to work for the car manufacturer as a consultant until the year 2000.

Mr Page, who became involved with the Royal British Legion while working for Rolls Royce, later became the chairman of the RBL for Derbyshire heading up the Poppy Appeal.

He was awarded an MBE for his services to fundraising for the Poppy Appeal by Prince Charles in 2012.

His sister Christabel Black said: “After he gave up work he devoted all his time to the Royal British Legion.

“He did full time work as an unpaid volunteer for them and became chairman.

“He had total control for the whole of Derbyshire for the Poppy Appeal and that was what he was awarded his MBE for.”

Mr Page’s funeral took place at Derby Cathedral last week and included 28 flag bearers.

Christabel added: “He was a volunteer for the scouts. He also had a touring caravan and was a member of the caravan club.

“He went all over the country with his caravan.”

Mr Page was married Anne and the couple had three children – twins Robert and Edward and son Ian.

His son Edward died of a heart attack aged 39 in 1999.