Tributes were paid this week to a prominent Lowestoft businessman.

Restaurateur and publican Andrew Willows died suddenly at his home in Oulton Broad on Monday, aged 66.

Mr Willows (right) began his career in catering when he was 16, as manager at The Scotsman on The Esplanade and he went on to run his own restaurant – Andrew's in Waterloo Road – and five other restaurants in the town.

He also ran the Jolly Sailors pub in Pakefield, the George Borrow, the Norman Warrior and Gambanas in Duke's Head Street. Two years ago he returned to the Jolly Sailors.

His former business partner and friend, Ivan Gilbert, said Mr Willows was also a keen supporter of local charities and was a member of Lowestoft Lions for 25 years.

He said: 'He was also generous and supported many charities in kind as well as raising many hundreds of pounds for deserving causes through dinners that he arranged.

'He had a heart of gold and prided himself on customer service. Andrew has been part of many local people's lives by providing meals for their special occasions and he will be sadly missed.'

A police spokesman said officers were called to Mr Willows' home in Swonnells Walk just after 8am on Monday and a post-mortem had shown his death was due to natural causes.

Mr Willows leaves a widow Dominique and a son Jonathan. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday at Pakefield church.

?A full tribute to Mr Willows will be published in next week's Journal.