CALNE lost one of its most well-known residents when marathon runner Ken Shaw died following a short illness.

Mr Shaw, who died aged 71 at Royal United Hospital, Bath, on Sunday, was a familiar face thanks to his fund-raising efforts and passion for running, which saw him compete in hundreds of marathons.

Mr Shaw’s wife Janet, whom he was due to celebrate 50 years of marriage with next year, paid tribute to her husband and said he would be sorely missed.

Mrs Shaw, 65, of Anchor Road, said: “He was such a lovely man, he never hurt anyone and always brought a smile to people’s faces.

“He was a wonderful husband and father. And he was a brilliant grandfather and great-grandfather, too.

“There are so many memories I can’t even think of them all. The most treasured of them all was the day we got married. The best thing I ever did was marry that amazing man. We were very, very happy together.”

Mr Shaw, originally from Hampshire, moved to Calne in 1976 and spent a decade working delivering leaflets around town, which took him hours each time as everyone wanted to talk to him.

Mr Shaw leaves his wife, children Mark, Kenny, Debbie and Darren, as well as 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Darren said his father would be fondly remembered by people in town.

He said: “He was mainly known for his running.

“People knew him as the marathon man because of his love for long distances.

“Whenever you would see him, he would be running.

“He was probably most famous for the ultra marathons he competed in.

“When he was diagnosed with arthritis about 10 years ago and had to give up running, he was devastated.

“That was it for him, running was his life. He went from running hundreds of miles a week to just sitting in the chair watching TV. That was hard to see.”

Mr Shaw lived in Braemor Road for 25 years before moving to Anchor Road, but in recent years he had dementia and was living at Ferfoot Care Home, Chippenham.

Darren said the family were keen to celebrate his life. He said: “We all went out to the Lansdowne Hotel on Sunday to have a meal together and celebrate his life.

“He was a great man and he will be missed by people throughout the town.”