IN LIFE they brought joy to thousands of children in Southampton as the founders of one of the city's most popular children's attractions.

It was a partnership that even in death, could not be broken.

Just days after Betty Salter passed away, her family are today mourning the loss of her husband Don who set up Southampton's Children's Pleasure Park in Bassett.

Hundreds of people were expected to attend Betty's funeral at Southampton Crematorium Chapel tomorrow (Thursday) but now that has been rearranged following Don's death yesterday.

The pair set up the play haven in the 1970s and it has been a popular destination for children at the back of the Outdoor Sports Centre ever since.

Don worked as a trampoline instructor in schools across Hampshire and wanted to set up his own site.

He spent hours in the shed at the bottom of his garden hand making many of the rides including the big slide, merry-go-round, trampolines, helter-skelter and swinging boats using old lorry axels and pieces of wood.

After nearly 40 years at the helm, Don and Betty handed control of the park to their two sons Fred and Gary.

Speaking at the time of his retirement in 2012, Don, said the park made his “life a lot better” and called it his “second home”.

He said: “I think it is a lovely place and I will sorely miss seeing all the children enjoying themselves. I have seen three generations of children come and play on the rides.”

Ward councillor Les Harris said the centre was “popular” for people all across Southampton.

He said: “I think they're going to be very sadly missed. It's been a mark on the landscape as a playground for many years. I think many children have grown up using its facilities and it is still well used.

“I think many residents will miss them.”

Bev Rogers who has been friends with the couple for more than 25 years said: “I just think it's so sad but it's also quite nice that they will be together. It's nice that they won't have to live apart.

“They were so happy, such lovely people.”

A comment on the Children's Pleasure Park Facebook page confirmed that the service planned for Betty, who died on October 5, had been rearranged with a date to be set.

The statement said: “With the passing of Donald Salter today we are rearranging Betty Salter's cremation.”