Friends and family have paid tribute to a key member of a Suffolk community.

Alastair Douglas, died aged 74 while undergoing surgery after suffering from an aortic aneurism on March 26.

Last week Bruisyard Barn, near Framlingham, was full as people celebrated the life of Mr Douglas in a service that he organised himself.

In his own words he said that he wanted it to be an “afternoon of laughter and of happy memories”.

He was born in Prestwich, near Manchester, on February 15, 1940 and studied veterinary medicine at the Veterinary School in Edinburgh, where he met Janet Naisby, who he later married. They moved to Framlingham in 1968, where Mr Douglas became a key member of the town community.

He was also a father to Lizz and Catherine, who were born in 1968 and 1971.

Mr Douglas performed surgery on small animals, and later in his career, pigs, as he started the second ‘pig only’ veterinary practice in the UK.

While he was a vet, Mr Douglas was elected into the Pig Veterinary Society, and later became president of the society. He retired in 2006, at the age of 66.

Mr Douglas was secretary of Framlingham Sports Club and the chairman of the Friends of St Michaels church, as well as being the clerk to the Mills Charity. He was also a member of the Framlingham Camera Club.

Roger Searle, a member of the camera club, said: “Alastair was an exceptional club member. His generous nature was apparent to all who came to our meetings.”

Mrs Douglas said: “Alastair was a wonderful husband and we had 47 years of happy marriage all but a few days.

“He was such fun, always so kind and incredibly patient.

“He loved his job as a veterinary surgeon and was well respected by his colleagues.

“He was at his happiest talking to people, and sharing his knowledge.

“He will not grow old, and we all have wonderful memories and lots of laughs at his various escapades.

“I am blessed with two amazing daughters, great sons-in-law, and four fabulous grandchildren.

“We all loved him to bits.”