FRIENDS and loved ones paid their final respects to Dilip Dutta at his funeral yesterday.

Former account clerk Mr Dutta, 77, died at his home in Portsmouth Street on October 1.

His funeral took place at Kingsdown Crematorium.

He served as Swindon’s Commission for Racial Equality chairman and as well as a trustee with Swindon and Wilts Community Trust.

Friend Muzammil Ali, who runs the Jewel in the Crown restaurant, said: “The service went very well. There were around 100 people at the ceremony, which I think was a good turnout.

“It is proof of the good work my friend did in Swindon for the people of the town.”

Swindon Advertiser:

Father-of-two Mr Dutta, pictured, was born in Calcutta and came to the UK in 1962 on a Government-paid flight.

In 1990, he received the British Empire Medal for services to the Asian and Bangladeshi community.