Tributes have been paid to a "modest, hard-working" former Port of Felixstowe worker who was described as a "doting father" after his death.

Peter Taylor, who lived in Felixstowe, spent his entire working life at the town's port from the age of 23 and worked his way up the ranks.

The Ipswich Town fan died on December 4 aged 65 after developing mesothelioma, a type of cancer that mainly affects the lungs, but also other organs.

READ MORE: Tributes to retired Felixstowe port worker Graham Smart

The condition was linked to his exposure to the fibrous, fireproofing material asbestos.

As well as his passion for football, Mr Taylor also loved riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and going on holidays across the UK and to the United States with his wife, Sheena.

The former football manager also liked collecting items, such as a Smarties tin from the 1980s and Coca-Cola glasses from the early 2000s.

East Anglian Daily Times: Peter Taylor while working at the Port of FelixstowePeter Taylor while working at the Port of Felixstowe (Image: Brooke Taylor/The Taylor family)He had four children – James, Aimee, Sonny and Brooke – and five grandchildren.

His daughter Brooke said: "My dad was a fighter, he put up one hell of a fight for the last four years of his life.

"I would describe him as hardworking, honest, an old school man with morals you don’t see much anymore, he was so funny and made jokes at inappropriate times.

"He loved his family more than anything, every gift he got us was so thoughtful and he always made us feel incredibly loved and cherished."

She added she had received many tributes from friends and work colleagues.

East Anglian Daily Times: Peter Taylor, a former Port of Felixstowe workerPeter Taylor, a former Port of Felixstowe worker (Image: Brooke Taylor/The Taylor family)

His funeral will be held at 11.30am on Thursday, January 4 at St Mary's Church in Walton and will be followed by a wake at Felixstowe Trades and Labour Club.

Money is also being raised for the charity Mesothelioma UK, which supports people with the condition and donations can be made here.