Friends and family have paid tribute to a community artist who recorded and celebrated the county's heritage.

Roger Hutchinson died on Friday, September 3, aged 57, after battling lung disease for three years.

Roger, who lived with his wife Gill in Hazel Street, Leicester, was born in Essex and moved to Leicester in 1981.

An artist and graphic designer, he created many murals, mosaics and other public art works during his career.

His work included a mural in Tudor Road, a sign outside Shaftesbury School, in Latimer Street, and mosaics on the Walnut Street mural, all in Leicester.

He painted the Rupert Bear tableau for the city's Town Hall Square Christmas decorations and created village signs for Thorpe Acre and Dishley.

Gill said: "Many people will remember Roger for the large inflatable play structures and environments that he built.

"He was also responsible for creating wonderful sculptures for the many fire shows held in Leicester during the 1980s, including the annual Dushira event in Belgrave.

"As well as being a community artist Roger felt passionately about history and heritage, particularly that of local waterways.

"He was actively involved in the campaign to save the Bowstring Bridge and, more recently, Aylestone Meadows.

"Roger was also a dedicated family man who created some wonderful and lasting memories for me and our two daughters, Beth and Meg."

Among the numerous organisations Roger was involved in were Leicester Civic Society, Industrial Heritage Society and the Narrow Boat Trust.

Civic society chairman Stuart Bailey said: "He was one of the greats but a very modest man, whose unique talents will be sorely missed."

A poster produced by Roger will feature on the cover of November's edition of the society's Leicester Citizen magazine, illustrating the campaign against Leicester City Council proposals to build football pitches at Aylestone Meadows.

Local historian Su Barton, of Leicester's West End, said: "Roger's art brought the past to life. He was a tremendous talent and a passionate person who used his work to promote causes he believe in."

Roger's funeral service will be held at Gilroes Crematorium, Leicester, at 3pm, on Tuesday.

It will be followed by a celebration of his life, including music and some of his artwork, at the Donkey pub, in Welford Road, from 4.30pm.

All are welcome.