Well-known Biddestone builder and football club mainstay Edwin Swannack died on December 3 at the age of 66.

Mr Swannack, of Yatton Road in Biddestone, was born on May 8 1939 in Chippenham and went to school at Lowden and Ivy Lane, before attending Twerton Boys School in Bath.

He became an apprentice steam fitter on the railways and then got a job with Sparrows Cranes in Bath. It was on a job in Bristol he met his bride to be, Eileen and they married in 1963.

They lived in Bath for a year before moving to Biddestone in 1964, and Mr Swannack got a job working on a farm for John Elliott until 1976 when he set up as a self employed builder, an occupation he continued for the rest of his life.

Mr Swannack was passionate about football and served as president of Biddestone Football Club for 16 years, up to his death. He was also nominated for the Unsung Hero Award on Wiltshire Radio for his efforts for the local footballing community. The bar at the new village hall in Biddestone will be named after Mr Swannack in recognition of his contribution to the local community.

He was a keen gardener and tended an allotment, and acted as DIY man for the village when semi-retired.

Last November Mr Swannack took a trip to Mauritius with his family, which he greatly enjoyed, but in February his health started to fail. He was diagnosed with cancer in May.

"He will be greatly missed by all the village," said Mrs Swannack. "He was very well known."

Mr Swannack had two sons, Keith and Des, and two grand daughters, Lucie and Lorren. He also leaves a sister, Rita.

The funeral will take place at Biddestone parish church on December 12 at 2pm. Family flowers only, donations to Dorothy House Hospice and the RUH Cancer Support Trust.