TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who revived a Hampshire carnival in the 1970s.

Eric Drake, who has died aged 81, grew up in Lymington and became an apprentice carpenter with a building firm based in the town. One of his first jobs was to repair the bell tower at St Thomas's Church.

He and his wife Pat were married at the church in July 1961.

In 1976 the couple embarked on a quest to resurrect the town's carnival. The inaugural event was judged a huge success, with more than 100 floats taking part.

Mr Drake, who established his own construction company in the early 1960s, became chairman of Lymington Chamber of Trade.

He played cricket for Lymington Cricket Club and football for Wellworthy's as well as being a long-time supporter of Lymington Town FC. He was also a well-known sailor.

Mr Drake, who lived at Pennington, retired in 2018 to spend more time with his family.