Tributes have poured in this week to Tony Beard – known to thousands as the Wag of Widecombe – who died at the weekend aged 79.

Mr Beard – the voice of Widecombe Fair and a presenter on BBC Radio Devon – ran a farm on the village outskirts.

He helped numerous charities raise money and was one of the founders of the Widecombe History Group.

Mr Beard’s family wil hold a private funeral, but there will be a public memorial service later.

Andrew Cooper, the BBC wildlife expert and broadcaster, knew Mr Beard well.

He said: ‘Tony’s understanding and experience of the moor, its history and its people was enthralling.’

And Gerald Smerdon, ?Widecombe Fair committee chairman, said: ‘At the fair people, including visitors from all over the world, used to make a beeline for him.’

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