TRIBUTES have been paid to a maverick New Forest vicar who performed services on horseback, onboard boats in the Solent and over the internet.

The Rev Peter Murphy, previously vicar of Lyndhurst and Hythe, has lost his nearly two decade battle with Parkinson's Disease aged 81.

In scenes reminiscent of one of his favourite TV shows The Vicar of Dibley, he was well known for his animal services, officiated on horseback, included donkeys in services and worked alongside his black Labrador Sinner.

A keen sailor, Peter blessed a marriage onboard a tender, baptised a baby with Solent water on the deck of a classic yacht and married a couple on the Hythe Ferry.

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Previous parishioner Richard Branson helped with the fundraising to restore a stunning spirit fresco of the 'Virgins' at St Michael's in Lyndhurst and the same church was paid handsomely to accommodate a mobile phone mast on its tower.

Born in Guernsey in 1940, Peter was evacuated to Brighton at the age of four weeks. He attended King's College London and had postings in Paddington and Basingstoke before arriving in the Forest. He was vicar in Hythe for a decade from 1982 and retired as vicar of Lyndhurst, Minstead and Emery Down in 2005 before taking up a part time post in Breamore near Fordingbridge. He continued to officiate all over the Forest until last Christmas.

Peter wrote and illustrated his own autobiography, as well as his own funeral service, enjoyed ballroom dancing and visiting his son in South Africa and played darts at The Bat and Ball in Breamore where he was know as the Master of the Lower Board as his Parkinson's left him unable to reach the higher numbers on the darts board.

He married a couple of online and often put up passers by in the church.

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Son Jonathan told the Daily Echo: "He had a real love for everyone and never closed the door on anyone. I'm not sure it was all that popular at the time, but his putting up people in need in the church really illustrated the open armed approach he had towards everyone."

The RNLI Calshot Lifeboat station flag has been flying at half mast for their recently retired chaplain.

Confirming a tribute is being planned, a spokesman said: "‘Murph’ was an incredibly special person who made it his business to welcome everyone. No matter how long you’d been around, 30 years or two minutes, he knew your name and put you completely at ease."

Rev Murphy leaves his wife Tricia, children Benjamin, Jonathan, Daniel and Saskia and grandchildren Rosie, Stanley, Albie, Tiago and Rowan.

Details of his funeral service will follow.