FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to The Flag Man who changed the face of Weymouth town centre.

Pat Silverton, well-known for voluntarily decorating St Alban Street with bunting, passed away on Sunday at the age of 64 following an illness.

Family and friends said he would always be remembered as a ‘true gent’, a campaigner against injustice and a ‘fantastic man’.

Friend Richard Terry said: “He was 100 per cent a true gent. He was a very proud man.

“He really was a lovely person. I’m going to miss him badly.”

Born in Tottenham, London, and a life-long Hotspur football fan, Pat moved to the area in 2006 and after hearing locals used to call it Flag Street, decided to return it to its former glory.

Shop owners donated money to the upkeep of the flags and Pat checked on the decorations every day.

His brother Den Silverton, who lives in Bedford, described Pat as a ‘lovely guy’.

He said: “He was a bit of a campaigner, he hated injustice. He did lots for veterans and for soldiers.

“He was an involved sort of person, he had strong opinions.

“He loved his country and he loved people.”

He added that their family had been very close.

He said: “He was a people person. There was nothing he liked more than sitting on the seafront and talking to the veterans.”

Mr Silverton paid tribute to Pat’s long-term partner and best friend Mandy Tanner who nursed Pat in the last months of his life.

Pat and his beloved dog Stanley were regular fixtures along St Alban Street and in the shops.

Dennis Spurr from the Fantastic Sausage Factory said he would be missed.

He added: “He was one of Weymouth’s characters and it’s a shame we have lost him.”

Steve and Tina Boys from News and Chews said that everyone on St Alban Street would be putting the special Olympic flags Pat had organised out for the Games in his memory.

Mr Boys said: “He will definitely be sadly missed. It’s still a shock, it’s not sunk in yet.”

Owner of Limelight Felicity Cranny said: “He always wanted to do more for the street and for the town, he was really positive.

“He was a real character and had a real sense of humour.”

Dave Wakeham from Imagine Books said: “He was a one in a million, inspirational person who really made a difference to the town.”

Dee Gough from The Cutter said: “He was a fantastic man.”

She added: “It’s so sad. I can’t believe he’s gone.”