TRIBUTES have flooded in for a “prolific” artist and one of “Leigh’s good guys” who died suddenly in his home.

Howard Robinson, one of the founders of the Leigh Art Trail, had lived in the town almost all of his life, before he passed away aged 80.

Fellow artists and his close family have paid tribute, and hope to continue his legacy for years to come.

Friends and family organised a touching procession along the Leigh Broadway, where Howard used to sit and sketch every day, before holding his funeral at Southend Crematorium on Wednesday.

Echo: Howard and his wife JoyHoward and his wife Joy

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Sam Lydon, 54, Howard’s daughter, said: “He loved his art and his photography, he lived and breathed it.

“Everyone knew him in Leigh, he was really popular.

“He had his lovely studio in his back garden.

“He kept a daily diary of who he would speak to every day on the Broadway, and would do a little sketch of them.

“It’s been lovely to look back through.”

Howard finished his last painting for this year’s art trail a week before he died.

His work will still be on display at the Leigh Road Baptist Church.

Landscape painter Jonathan Trim said: “This is such sad news.

“I was privileged to know Howard as a friend and fellow artist.

“Howard will be forever associated with the artistic life of Leigh.”

Howard was inspired by the Thames Estuary, and his passion for nature and the environment caught the eye of passers by.

Photographer Dave Shields added: “I felt so honoured that Howard wanted to take time to talk to me about my work.

“Leigh has lost one of the good guys.”

His paintings are known to have been bought from families in America and Canada.

Howard died from a pulmonary embolism last month, after having difficulty breathing.

This year’s Leigh Art Trail began on September 4, and lasts for two weeks.