A BAKER who worked tirelessly in his Stotfold shop for 71 years as well as playing an active part in the steam and fairground communities has died.

Jack King, of The Green, was a stalwart of the town and only stopped working at W.G King Bakers six weeks ago after starting in the family firm in 1939, at the age of 13.

He was even featured on BBC’s Look East in the past few years as the oldest independent baker still working.

The 84-year-old’s daughter, Denise Watson, says Mr King didn’t believe in holidays and was still making deliveries until he had a fall in February.

“He used to think that he could do anything and even before six weeks ago he hadn’t stopped delivering,” she said.

“He was still serving customers even though he had glaucoma and was blind in his right eye.”

Mr King died after suffering a heart attack. His funeral will take place on April 28 at St Mary’s Church, Stotfold, and he will be laid to rest in the town’s cemetery.

It is expected that hundreds of people will line the streets of Stotfold to see him off and his body will be transported by steam engine to the service.

The bakery is being run by his daughter. However, she says she has to check the finances before deciding on its long-term future.