TRIBUTES have been paid to a "well-known" Sikh priest who served in the Southampton community for more than 40 years.

Giani Telhal Singh passed away on April 2 aged 80.

Telhal's death has been described as a "huge loss in the Sikh community" as he was a prominent member and a well-know Giani who represented the Council of Southampton Gurdwaras (four Sikh temples) for over forty years.

Pritheepal Singh, CEO at One Community Hampshire and Dorset, said: "He was a very nice person, a very prominent figure, it has been a huge loss.

"He served as a Priest for more than 40 years.

"He was very humble, very polite, gentle, and family oriented.

"He was very respectful of the community."

His funeral is set to be held tomorrow, Monday, and his family has extended an invite to the community.

The cortege will arrive at Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib on St Marks Road at 11.45am.

At 1pm, the cortege will leave Gurdwara and journey to Southampton Crematorium on Bassett Green Road and arrive at around 1.30pm.

At 3.20pm his family will return to Gurdwara.