With his booming voice, thick white beard and portly figure, Jack Hibberd had plenty to shout about as Southampton's town crier.

Dressed in all his red, green and gold finery, the jolly fellow would sound out the civic news on Southampton's streets, ringing his bell to command attention.

But today tributes have been pouring in for one of the city's best-known characters, who died on Monday night after suffering a heart attack two weeks ago.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo, Jack, 77, who had been town crier for 13 years, died at Southampton General Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Jack, who was made MBE in 2000, leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Trixie, as well as his daughters Carole and Sandra, four granddaughters and two great-grandsons.

The retired lorry driver, of Canterbury Road in Sholing, was born in Southampton and saw wartime service in the Royal Navy and the Fleet Air Arm.

When he was appointed town crier in 1989 he told the Echo: "I've always had a loud voice and been a bit of an extrovert and this job certainly calls for a good shouting voice.

"I am a royalist and a patriot and proud to be Southampton's town crier - Southampton is a great city with a good history."

Jack was also the honorary town crier of Southampton in Ontario, Canada.

Southampton mayor Brian Parnell said: "He's going to be greatly missed as a great character. He was a really happy, jolly figure and, of course, his portly size, as well as a good strong voice, fitted in well for the position of town crier."

Southampton Bitterne ward councillor Perry McMillan said: "He was the perfect person for the job. You hear people say someone would make a good Father Christmas. Well, Jack Hibberd made a great town crier.

"He will be sadly missed by all and very hard to replace."

City council leader June Bridle said: "My condolences go to his wife and family.

"He was very much a figurehead, particularly at ceremonies like mayor-making. He was a key part of what goes on in the city and will be very, very sadly missed."

Alderman Kathie Johnson said: "He did a wonderful job for the city for so many years as town crier and he was also involved in the Burma Star organisation and Far East Prisoners of War. I want to pay my greatest respects to him."

Former Southampton mayor Jack Candy added: "He was a fine, dedicated man, committed to and proud of the job he was doing."