TRIBUTES have been paid to a Stourport shop owner at the "centre of the fishing community" who has died aged 55. 

Mark Lewis, who ran Mark's Fishing Tackle on Raven Street for 28 years, passed away on Thursday (March 3) after a battle with stomach and bowel cancer. 

His partner of nine years, Helen Round, said he was an "amazing man" who loved helping people. 

She said: "He hadn't got a bad bone in his body, all he wanted to do was help people. 

"Mark was the centre of the fishing community. He was just out to help everybody. 

"He had the most amazing warmth about him. He just had this glow about him.

"He'd be down that shop at half-past six every morning and sometimes he wouldn't leave until 7 in case somebody was finishing work late."

The couple had a holiday in Tenerife last November which Mark "didn't want to come home from."

He was diagnosed with cancer in late January and was able to spend his final days at home. 

Kidderminster Shuttle: Mark Lewis Mark Lewis

His sister Nina Potter said: "We were only just getting our heads around his diagnosis and now he's gone. 

"He asked us to open the shop, which we did. I feel like the men around him are now going to feel very lost because he was their connection.

"They take the best first don't they?" 

Residents paid tribute to the life-long fisher on social media, calling him a "legend" and a "gentleman." Others described his shop as an "Aladdin's cave". 

The family has said the business will continue until stock is sold. 

Helen added: "It's going to be a great loss to the town and everybody will agree on that."

Mark Lewis, the son of Beryl Lewis, leaves behind two step-children, Ashley and Jay, two grandchildren, Jake and Isla, niece Lucy and great-niece Honey.