Tributes have been paid to the father of the founder of the New Look fashion chain who had an integral role in the early development of the company.

Mehnga Singh, who lived in Upwey for many years, passed away peacefully on June 20 at the age of 92, after a 'fascinating and fulfilling life’, his family said.

Although it was his son Tom who founded the company, Mr Singh helped lay the foundations and was a key player in its development. He remained closely involved in the business until the mid 1990s, focussing mainly on the transport and distribution side.

Born in India, Mr Singh sought to escape the challenges of post-independence Punjab and came to England in 1950 to seek his fortune. He had married his wife Sawarn in India and she soon followed him to England with their son Tom.

Dorset Echo:

They settled in Taunton, then Wellington – the original plan was to make some money to send home and eventually return.

Life in post-war Britain was not easy and the Singhs had the added burden of learning a new way of life and a new language.

Being something of an entrepreneur, Mr Singh made a living selling clothes door-to-door before deciding to buy a shop in Wellington in 1955. They would later buy the premises next door and combine the two shops.

A few years later Mr Singh took a gamble and started running stalls at local markets, starting at Taunton’s Saturday market - a move which paid off and gave the family financial security.

Mr and Mrs Singh opened another shop in Taunton in 1969.

Various other shops were opened by the family over the following years including a shop in St Thomas Street, Weymouth which was the first outlet to trade under the name 'New Look.

The business continued to expand, focussing initially on small market towns, prior to its ultimate expansion which would revolutionise the UK retail market and secure an international footprint.

Mr Singh lived in Dorset for many years and moved to Basingstoke two years ago to be close to family.

The couple had three other children - George, Christine and Simon, the popular science author.

A family spokesman said: "By his later years, he had grown to be a passionate gardener, harking back to his formative days growing up on the family farm in India. Indeed, his intention was always to return to India when the grandchildren were older, and it will become his final resting place when his ashes are scattered there."

The spokesman added: "Mehnga will be remembered by all for his hard work and love of life, his signature joke telling and for always enjoying a visit to the pub. His whole family will remember him with the greatest love, respect and admiration and will miss him dearly."