Tributes have been paid to one of Thanet’s best-known pub landlord’s, who has only recently died.

Maxwell Williams, 77, who lost his six-week battle with stomach cancer, had run pubs on the Isle for more than two decades.

He managed the First and Last pub which was in Vicarage Place in Margate before it closed moving across to the Quart In A Pint Pot in Charlotte Square, Margate, with Thorley Taverns.

After moving from Scotland to Birchington when he was 11, Max spent the early part of his life working in Betteshanger, Chislet and Tilmanstone coal mines until becoming a pub landlord in 1987.

He had run the pubs until he retired three years ago.

His daughter Debbie Williams, 50, said: “He was a real character my dad, everybody loved him.

“They are going to have to extend the crematorium to fit everyone in.

“He was a gentle, kind man and nothing was ever too much trouble for anybody.”

The family man could often be seen out about, donned in a cowboy hat and boots.

His four little Yorkshire terriers never too far from his side.

Miss Williams said: “It was quite a sight to see this great big man and these tiny little yorkies walking up and down the park.

“Some of my favourite memories are from when we used to go swimming in the sea after hours.

“We he had shut the pub we would go down to the beach with some of the regulars and go for a swim.

“Then we would come back and mum would cook everyone bacon.”

Since 1966 Max lived at his family home in Ulster Road, Margate.

Debbie said: “He was only poorly for a few weeks and it came as a quite a shock.

“The cancer just took him out but we were not expecting him to go when he did.

“I have had so many messages saying how proud I must be to have had parents like that, the support has been fantastic.”

Managing director of Thorley Taverns, Frank Thorley, said: “Max worked for us for many years until he decided to take retirement.

“He was an old-fashioned publican and very popular with his locals.

“It is a very sad loss, and the loss of his dear wife Doreen I don’t think he ever recovered from.

“My condolences go out to his family.”

Max’s wake will be held at The Lord Byron in Margate but no date has been set.