TRIBUTES have been paid to the man who died in a fire at his home in Weymouth.

The man, who has been named locally as Mickey Rocket, has been described as a unique local character and a 'legend,' who was well known and well liked in the area.

Firefighters discovered the body after being alerted to a fire in a property on Dale Avenue in the Lodmoor area of Weymouth on Monday afternoon.

Fire crews extinguished the blaze and while searching the property, found the body of a deceased male in his 70s.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious and the matter is now in the hands of the coroner.

Stuart Law is a neighbour. He said Mr Rocket was a 'unique unorthodox character' who was very independent.

He said: “He had lots of knowledge, he knew everything about football, cricket and boxing.

“You could ask him who played in the FA Cup final in 1948 - he wouldn't just say the teams, he'd say who the players were.

“He had an encyclopaedic knowledge.”

He added: “He was very independent - did things his own way.”

Mr Law said he had a lot of friends in the area. He used to go to the Royal Oak on Dorchester Road and the Weatherbury Arms.

Jonathan Hill had known Mr Rocket for around 10 years and said he would be sadly missed. He said Mr Rocket had a lot of nicknames given to him by his different groups of friends, including the nickname 'God.'

He said: “He was just someone you could have a good laugh and chat with.

“He knew everything about Weymouth.”

He added: “Everyone had their own little memories of him. He will definitely be missed.”

Jamie Jarman said Mr Rocket was a 'legend.'

He said: “I could always have a good laugh with him. His knowledge about football was unmatched.”

He said everyone at the Royal Oak had been shocked to hear the news.

He said: “He was just a legend. Everyone knew him and respected him.”

Formal identification has not yet taken place and the coroner is investigating the matter.