Tribute has been paid to the founder of a north Essex estate agency who has died aged 86.

Desmond Boyden established the Boydens firm back in 1965 after working for chartered surveyor firms first in London and later in Colchester at CM Standford & Son.

Born in 1928 into a Quaker family which ran a house-building firm he lived all his life in Colchester.

After the Second World War he studied engineering and worked for Woods of Colchester before switching to surveying.

As a surveyor some of his deals included Essex County Council purchasing the Gooch estate to allow building of the University of Essex, the sale of the Layer Marney Tower to the Charrington family, and the sale of the St Osyth Priory.

Desmond grew his business from its first office in Blackheath to the network it is today.

Desmond, who passed away peacefully on February 1, leaves a widow, Sheila, three sons, David, Julian and Gerald, and four grandchildren.

Oldest son David said: “Father was very much a family man who devoted much of his time to building the family business. He was very proud of his three sons and was a great inspiration to me and my brothers.”

The funeral will be held at St Peter’s Church, North Hill, Colchester on February 27.