TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular St Albans market trader who died last weekend. Ken Morcom, aged 77, who lived in Bricket Wood before moving to a nursing centre in Harefield, had retired as chairman of the St Albans Market Traders Association but was

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular St Albans market trader who died last weekend.

Ken Morcom, aged 77, who lived in Bricket Wood before moving to a nursing centre in Harefield, had retired as chairman of the St Albans Market Traders Association but was still involved in the running of the market right up until his death on Saturday.

Ken, who became chairman in the mid 1990s and retired from the position a few years ago, used to help his wife on her stationery stall and, after her death, he offered his assistance to Dave Lawrence, owner of the market's burger van.

Dave, who has been selling burgers in the market for 27 years, described Ken as a "very helpful employee and man" and added: "Ken was so friendly and he loved being involved in the running of the market. When he was chairman, he was always willing to take on traders' grievances and his wife used to put on a lovely spread when we went round to their house for meetings."

Portfolio holder for culture and heritage at the district council Cllr Melvyn Teare, who also remembers Ken well, said that he showed great leadership skills during his time as chairman and hailed him as, "a strong representative of the market traders."

Ken's friend of 20 years Tony Burge, who lives in Bricket Wood, said that he was one of the nicest men he knew: "Ken was a really pleasant man and we had a great friendship. I enjoyed passing the time of day with him and I think he will be missed by many people."

A funeral service for Ken, who has left two sons and a daughter behind, will take place at West Herts crematorium on Tuesday January 5 at 1.20pm.