Tributes have been paid to an eye surgeon who helped to improve and restore eyesight for thousands of patients in Norfolk.

John Pyne, 73, trained as an ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London before moving to Norwich in the mid-70s, where he worked at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, the West Norwich Hospital and the Bupa Hospital at Colney.

After retiring as a surgeon, Mr Pyne continued to work as a locum for opticians, conducting eye examinations at Dipple and Conway in Norwich and Nelson's Eye Patch in Holt.

He was well-known for his professional ability in improving eyesight for thousands, and also for his charming and compassionate manner.

Damian Conway, of Dipple and Conway, said: 'John was a consummate professional, a true gentleman who had a fantastic following and who impressed everybody who met him or had dealings with him, from patients through to colleagues.

'We were very privileged to have him working for us as his depth of knowledge was unsurpassed.

'John had a modern approach but with traditional values. He was a delight and his passing is a great loss to everybody.'

Born on April 13, 1939, Mr Pyne spent the first seven years of his life in India, as his father was stationed in the army.

The family returned to the UK and the young John was educated at Felsted boarding school in Essex. He married Judith Wheaton and had three children, Stephen Michael and Anna, and was grandfather to Danielle, Natasha, Philomena, Felix, Hope, Grace and Victor.

Mr Pyne also undertook voluntary work with the Samaritans in Norwich and also for the Fight for Sight charity in Africa, operating on, and restoring, the gift of sight to hundreds of Africans.

In 1997, Mr Pyne married his second wife Marcelle Chapman and lived in the villages of Stoke Holy Cross and latterly Shotesham, where, on May 20, he finally succumbed to an 18-month battle with cancer.

The funeral will be held at 2.45pm on Monday, May 28 at Shotesham All Saints Church. Donations will be collected for his favourite charities.