EX-PAT Lydia Fox has forwarded a touching tribute to a big-hearted St Helens personality she held in high regard.

Lydia, now living in Adelaide, Australia, writes: "On a recent visit to my native St Helens, I was saddened to hear of a great character who had passed away.

"He was affectionately known as Harry 'Jap' (because of the St Helens JAP business he had set up). And his generosity knew no limits.

"To many folk who had been broken down, or whose car battery had failed, he would say 'Take what you need to get you on your way, and call in again, as you're passing, with the money'".

And, says Lydia, he was so trusting that he didn't even bother to take the person's name and address.

She adds: "He'd brighten up the old girls in Moss Bank Labour Club with his jokes and made sure they went home with a smile of their face. Harry was well-known in clubland, always giving tips. He loved his horses".

Harry, says our correspondent from Down Under, was often heard to remark that he could have been a millionaire, "but he was content with giving as much as he could to make life easier for other folk.

"He could brighten up a room with a million smiles; and I'm sure a million tears have been shed at the passing of a true gent".