TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known Old Town tailor, who has died of leukaemia.

John Treasure died on Friday, just days after he was diagnosed with the disease.

The 87-year-old was renowned for his community involvement as a businessman, Rotarian and ex-prisoner-of-war.

He joined his father Albert, who was known as Stan, to work at the family's tailor business in 1946 after six and a half years in the Army.

He was held at a Japanese prisoner of war camp in Jinsen, in Korea, for two and a half years.

At the time of his release in 1946 he told the Advertiser that he had had a better time than most as a prisoner.

The John Treasure tailors shop, which opened in 1926, is one of the longest-standing businesses in the area.

After his father died John took over the running of the shop and married his wife Stella in the same year. She has since died.

John's son Peter joined the business in 1982 and the shop began to provide more ready-to-wear clothing.

John received much acclaim for his tailoring talent.

In 1976 he won the menswear trophy in the Federation Of Merchant Tailors' competition.

He was also a keen Rotarian and president of Swindon's Rotary Club in 1966.

Richard Deacon, of Deacons Jewellers, who is the chairman of Old Town Business And Professional Association, said John was a steadfast presence in the area.

He said: "John Treasure has been a pillar in the Old Town business community for many years.His contribution to business life in Old Town has been appreciated by many people.

"He will be sadly missed by friends.

"Treasures is the one remaining family-owned tailor business in Old Town and it is testament to the family that they have kept it going."

Thamesdown Rotary Club member Kevin Brown managed the Beryl Morse shop in Old Town when Mr Treasure was active.

"He was a chairman of the Old Town Traders' Association and was a very prominent member," he said.

"He certainly will be badly missed.

"But his name will live on in the business."

The funeral will take place at Christ Church on Wednesday at 12.30pm.

In addition to his son Peter John also leaves a son Michael and Peter, and two grandchildren, Katie and William.