A WELL-known former hotelier, made an honourary rotarian for his charity work, has died suddenly.

Roy Cox from Broad Town, known to his friends and family as Sam, had had kidney problems for some time.

He underwent surgery at Princess Margaret Hospital but died on Sunday, aged 76.

Originally a butcher, Mr Cox opened Wootton Bassett's Churchill House Hotel after the Second World War with his wife Iris.

The pair, who were married for 46 years and have a daughter, Carol, transformed the building from an empty house. Mrs Cox, 68, said: "It was a lot of hard work but we enjoyed every minute of it.

"Sam was a very sociable man and loved being able to meet lots of people through work. He enjoyed cooking because in the Second World War he went into the airforce and cooked for the men."

The couple built a ballroom at the back of the hotel which was used for group functions, especially by the Wootton Bassett and District Rotary Club. Mr Cox was also a member of Purton Age Concern.

When Mr and Mrs Cox decided to retire five years ago, Mr Cox was made an honourary rotarian.

President Richard Woolfrey said: "Sam was a great friend of the club."

Mr Cox's funeral service will take place at Kingsdown Crematorium on Thursday at noon. His family have asked that anyone wanting to mark his life and death make a donation to the Prospect Hospice.