Further tributes have poured in memory of a Suffolk harbour master who ruled a section of the River Deben 'like his own kingdom'. 

Robert Simper, chair of the Ramsholt Parish Meeting, was paying tribute to Ramsholt harbour master George Collins, who died on Boxing Day aged 93.

He said Mr Collins was 'very much in control' of the 200 moorings at Ramsholt and the local mooring committee would 'let him do what he wanted'.

READ MORE: Ramsholt Arms tribute to harbour master George Collins, 93

During his tenure of more than 40 years, he had established a positive reputation and good rapport with the yachting community as a 'particularly helpful harbour master' who provided useful information about what was happening on the river.

Mr Simper said the role of being harbour master was Mr Collins 'whole life' and he would be down at Ramsholt quay every day in the house boat that doubled as his office.

However, he added the former lorry driver had not shown any interest in becoming harbour master prior to taking on the role from his father - also called George - in the 1980s.

READ MORE: Suffolk harbour master George Collins' boat trip after stroke

"He didn't help his father, but he took on the job as soon as his father died many years ago and the reason he became so well known was that he became particularly helpful to yachtsmen.

"It was his whole life being harbour master."

Mr Simper said although Mr Collins lived in Woodbridge with his wife, who used to work at retailer Boots, she would rarely visit Ramsholt quay.

READ MORE: Woodbridge news

He added the harbour master was mainly concerned with events on the river and was not actively involved with life in the village as a whole, although he created a 'nice atmosphere' on the river.

"He was always very affable. I got on with him well as I had known him since the Second World War. I had known him really all my life and he was always affable and friendly if you did not annoy him," Mr Simper said.

Of Mr Collins' importance, he added: "He had a big influence on the River Deben at Ramsholt. He ruled it like a kingdom."

Max Durrant, publican of the Ramsholt Arms described Mr Collins as the 'Grandfather of Ramsholt' who was very 'knowledgeable and a decent man'.

READ MORE: Suffolk news