HUNDREDS of mourners are expected to turn out for a Canvey man’s funeral after it emerged he had no family.

Tony Banks, 77, was known across the island and was regularly seen on the seafront bird watching and drinking a cup of tea at hardware store GMD.

He died in July with no next of kin, but wellwishers and neighbours have decided to get together for his funeral today.

Sandra Durant, owner of GMD, said: “He was a lovelyman and had cared for his mum for a number of years.

“He was always in the shop and was a real community man, popping to the cafe for his breakfast, the chip shop for his tea and was always out and about.

“He used to come over to us every Christmas and he was such a flirt.”

Tony, who worked at a dry cleaners and opticians in London before caring for his mum, was treated at Southend Hospital before his death and is believed to have died of pneumonia.

Sandra, 50, of Maurice Road, Canvey said: “Even when the nurses were taking him into intensive care he was still charming them and said if he had all the money in the world he would give it to them.

“He lived in a little house in Gafzelle Road with only a lightbulb and a coal fire.

“Recently he had lost weight.

“For ten years he had looked after his mum, he nursed her until she was 99.”

Tony’s mum, Edith Banks, died in 1998, two months before her 100th birthday leaving Tony with no family in the country.

Mrs Durant said: “I saw him from across the street and he looked terrible. I ran over and asked him what was going on.

He didn’t look himself.

“He was always so cheerful and out and about.

“It turns out he has an uncle, but he is 94 and lives in Canada.

“He wasn’t a lonely man. He had lots of friends.”

The funeral procession will leave at 1.55pm from Gafzelle Drive for a 2pm service at Leigh Beck Baptist church before the burial at St Katherine’s Church.

Donations to Southend Hospital’s intensive care unit are welcome.