TRIBUTES have been paid to a town stalwart who was the “driving force” behind a history society’s biggest tourist attractions.

Andy Rutter died in Colchester Hospital on Saturday morning, aged 84.

He was one of the founding members of the Harwich Society, attending the first ever meeting in February 1969 and was made secretary of the group later that year - a position he held for 45 years.

Vice-chairman David Whittle, who has known Andy since 1960, said: “Andy came to Harwich in 1959 as a customs officer and he stayed at Orwell guesthouse.

“His original impression of the town was a dilapidated place and he wasn’t very happy.

“He went to work and put in for a transfer.

“He then very much got into the social side of the town and decided to stay.”

Andy ended up on the Redoubt Fort committee for the Harwich Society and was instrumental in it’s restoration.

David added: “Andy wasn’t very practical, he didn’t know what end to pick up a left-handed hammer.

“At the beginning he said we would get the redoubt sorted out in three weeks!

“He wasn’t any good at mending things, but he could persuade people to do anything.

“He was the last of the original members of the society and a real driving force.”

Andy retired as secretary in 2015 and was made the Harwich Society’s vice president.

A highlight of his work in the society came in 1990, when Cilla Black travelled to the Redoubt Fort.

He was lured down to the Napoleonic fort on the pretence of discussing grants for the renovation of the building when he was met by the loveable Liverpudlian host.

She then serenaded unsuspecting Andy for a segment on ITV favourite Surprise Surprise to celebrate the hard work he had put in as a volunteer for the historical group.

Friend of 40 years Lal Kannangara, who was at Andy’s bedside when he died, said: “He was a man in a million.

“He was honest and his biggest thing was his loyalty.

“He always put others first.”

In 2001, Andy was awarded an MBE for his long service in the Harwich Society and dedication to the town’s heritage.

Andy’s husband Khan Simsa said he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

He added: “Andy was very loving, he was a very kind person, nobody could compare.

“He was always very hardworking. He loved Harwich and would do anything he could for Harwich, it was his life.

“Harwich always came first.”

Andy, who was suffering from Parkinson’s disease, died after a short stay in hospital after contracting a chest infection.