Tributes have been paid to the Dereham businessman, Ken Sambrooks, who has passed away aged 70.

Mr Sambrooks was born in Bilston, West Midlands, on December 20, 1946, where he grew up with his sister Jan and brother Peter.

Before moving to Norfolk he was an apprentice for George Masons, a grocers, and at 17 he became the youngest-ever shop manager for the company, where he worked until moving to Norfolk.

He moved to Norfolk in the early 1970s, and settled in the Dereham area, where he worked as a representative for General Foods.

He later set up his own business, and opened four shops, in Dereham, Toftwood, Shipdham and Necton.

Known as Ken's Kabins, the businesses were confectioners, tobacconists, and newsagents, and Mr Sambrooks was well-known in and around Dereham for his shops.

After the shops moved into new ownership, he then worked as an area manager for Chubb Fire, which sold fire extinguishers and safety equipment.

Mr Sambrooks worked in the fire trade until he semi-retired, around eight years ago.

But the entrepreneur needed to be busy, and went to work at Hertz in Norwich. He later worked for Norse as a personal assistant and drove children with disabilities to school.

His hobbies included football, which he loved with a passion, and was an avid fan of Wolves football club since the age of 10.

Mr Sambrooks also enjoyed fishing, and loved his fish pond, and was the proud owner of koi carp.

He also enjoyed many holidays abroad, and spent time going on cruises with his wife Linda.

Mr Sambrooks' sister, Jan Page, described her brother as: 'a wonderful father, husband, grandad, and brother'.

She added that Mr Sambrooks 'leaves his widow Linda, who was his world'. The couple married eight years ago and were together for 13.

Mrs Page said: 'He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him'.

He leaves his son, Nigel, daughter-in-law, Angie, and granddaugher, Rebecca; stepdaughter Donna and her husband Mark; stepson Paul and his partner Tasha; and stepgrandsons Luke, Myles, and Ashdon.