Tributes have been paid following the death of a shop owner who provided generations of Oswestry schoolchildren with sports kits.

Peter Richards ran his self-named shop in the town for more than 35 years and sold PE uniforms for thousands of children who attended the town's schools.

But the 82-year-old was also a well-known sporting name.

Born and raised in Oswestry, Mr Richards launched his business in Willow Street after completing his National Service, before relocating to Upper Brook Street where he remained for many years.

He then returned to Willow Street - but on the other side of the road. It was then taken over for a short time when Mr Richards retired before eventually closing.

His daughter Tracy told the Advertizer: "It was a job he enjoyed doing. A lot of people will remember going to his shop to get their uniform.

"But he also did a lot with local sports clubs."

Mr Richards was named Oswestry's Sportsman of the Year in the 1980s - when he beat off competition from junior competitors - and he was involved in badminton, cricket, table tennis, represented Shropshire at swimming, and was also a member of Oswestry Golf Club.

Ms Richards continued: "He was a sportsman through and through.

"He was always happy, always friendly. He would talk to anyone about sport if they came into the shop.

"He was also a proper gentleman, a little bit old fashioned but in a gentle way, and never had a bad word for anyone.

"Whatever he was feeling he was always cheerful and was much loved by everyone who knew him."

Mr Richards leaves his children Barrie and Tracy, and grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at Pentrebychan Crematorium in Wrexham on Tuesday, March 6, at 10.30am and will be followed by tea at Oswestry Golf Club.