A VILLAGE has welcomed back its popular butcher.

Kevin Booker, 50, who owns Marsh Butchers, in High Street, Great Wakering, has vowed to keep going, despite suffering a heart attack.

Mr Booker, the village’s only remaining butcher, was rushed to Southend Hospital a month ago and spent five days there, before recovering at home.

Mr Booker, who has worked at the shop for 24 years and has owned it for the last ten, said: “I am having to watch what I do now, like keeping heavy lifting to a minimum. I am finding myself feeling a bit more tired than usual towards the end of the working day.

“But I feel well enough to continue working, especially as it is coming up to Christmas, which is the busiest time of year.

“I have to make sure I am well enough for my customers.”

Mr Booker’s wife Deborah, 41, and daughter Hannah, 18, kept the shop open while he recovered.

Thanking his customers for their support, he said: “They have been great and some of my regulars even came to visit me while I was in hospital.

“It just shows you there is a really good village community in Great Wakering, which is nice to be a part of.”

Trevor Goodwin, a Central Ward member of Great Wakering Parish Council, welcomed back Mr Booker, who got more than 40 get well soon cards from villagers.

Mr Goodwin, who is also a Rochford district councillor for Foulness and Great Wakering, said: “I have known Kevin for a few years now.

“To see him come back and carry on working is good, especially as he is very well known with residents in the village.”

Eddy Barron, 64, who owns the Red Lion pub, in High Street, Great Wakering, has been a friend of Mr Booker for nine years. He added: “Everyone who comes in here has been hoping he recovers.

“We even had one guy come in and say he would go into the shop to cut meat up so Mr Booker’s wife could then sell it while he was getting better.”