Tributes have been paid to a veteran who ran an army surplus store in Brentford for nearly 40 years.

William Wells - who died on Thursday August 20, of heart failure, aged 85 - started the discount shop in Brentford High Street in 1969 and was a well-known figure in the town.

The outlet, which is close to the London Museum of Steam and Water, sells cut-price clothes and equipment, including a range of military garments.

His wife June said: "He was known by everyone round here. He loved his work and was always thinking about the shop.

"He was a very good husband and father. He was very friendly and would talk to anyone."

Mr Wells, known to his friends as Bill, was born in Brentford and spent his whole life in the town, living above the shop until his death.

He grew up in North Road and went to St George's School, which has since closed. He met his future wife when they were evacuated to Cornwall as children during the Blitz, and they went on to marry at St George's Church when he was 20.

He served in the Merchant Navy when he was 15, his wife said, before spending two years in the Medical Corps.

After that he worked as a porter at Brentford Market, and ran a number of shops in the High Street before buying the army surplus store, which has no name and is simply known as 410 High Street.

He has run the shop ever since with June and their son Martin, who June said would now take over its management.

As well as his son, Mr Wells had a daughter, who sadly passed away, and five grandsons and 14 great-grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at Mortlake Crematorium on Tuesday (September 8), at 12.40pm. June said anyone is welcome to attend.