THE FUNERAL of a Southampton couple who brought joy to thousands of youngsters in Southampton has been re-arranged for Friday.

Days after Betty Salter died her husband Don, who set up Southampton’s Children’s Pleasure Park in Bassett passed away.

Betty’s funeral has now been rearranged for Friday at the same time as Don’s.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend Southampton Crematorium in Bassett Green Road at 9.45am.

Already hundreds of people have left tributes to the pair on the Children’s Pleasure Park Facebook page.

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”.

Howard Tear was one of those people who remembered the couple on social networking sites.

He said: “This is very sad news for not only me but the many, many people’s lives that Don and Betty have touched over the years.

“Don and I started the Southampton Trampoline Club way back in 1971 and spent hundreds of hours over the years taking performers not only all over Britain but also abroad.

“He was the most likeable of men, always smiling and joking and the kids and their parents all loved him, as they did Betty, who was always by his side supporting and making sure everyone was OK.

“I loved them both like they were my family and words can’t express how sad I feel.”

Becky Miller was another who paid tribute. She said: “So many memories of the pleasure park when I was a child and now I take my own children. They gave so many so much joy, love to the family xx.”

Don and Betty’s family said all are welcome to attend the pair’s funeral.