Friends and neighbours paid fond tributes to popular wildlife enthusiast Roger Goy following his death on 6 March, 2009, at the age of 61.

The Lincoln-based nature expert was a former Lincolnshire Echo columnist.

He was renowned for establishing the Wildlife Help Service in 1990 to help the public answer any wildlife questions and also held weekly drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub in Moor Street, off Carholme Road, Lincoln.

In 2006, Mr Goy won a Lincolnshire Environmental Award for his efforts in starting the voluntary service and his regular columns for the Echo and broadcasts on BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

Neighbour Charo Coll-Yeo lived near Mr Goy for the last year and said they used to meet up for a coffee every Wednesday.

“It was a great shock to hear about Roger,” said Mrs Coll-Yeo, of Blenheim Road, Lincoln.

“I have been praying for his soul and it’s terrible news. He was a very friendly person, very cheerful and always trying to make everybody happy.

“We used to talk about everything. I’m originally from Gibraltar and Roger used to say there were a lot of birds from there. He was a very nice person and I’m so sorry he has gone.”

Owner of Queen in the West pub Mary Holmes said Mr Goy had been a regular presence and always had time for a chat.

“Roger had been coming down to the pub for about five to six years for his drop-in sessions,” she said.

“A lot of people used to come down and meet him and bring bits and bobs they had found to show him. He was a very nice man and very kind - he always bought a drink for whoever was serving him.

Echo editor Jon Grubb said: “It's desperately sad and a real shock. The thoughts of everyone here at the Echo go out to Roger's family and friends. He was a part of the Echo for many years and will be greatly missed.”

Wildlife photographer Dean Eades, from Welton, near Lincoln, added: “Everybody liked him and he was a bubbly character. He liked his drink in the Queen of the West and he was always willing to help people.”