A POPULAR figure inthe Great Yarmouth art world has died aged 81.Edward Darby, pictured, was well known in the town for his hundreds of watercolour paintings of local landmarks, including St Nicholas' Church in Yarmouth and other churches in Bradwell and Hopton.

A POPULAR figure in

the Great Yarmouth art world has died aged 81.

Edward Darby, pictured, was well known in the town for his hundreds of watercolour paintings of local landmarks, including St Nicholas' Church in Yarmouth and other churches in Bradwell and Hopton.

He became a member of the Great Yarmouth Society of Artists in 1966, eventually becoming the group's secretary and died on August 24 following a short illness.

Born to parents Nellie and Frederick Darby in Yarmouth in 1928, he attended the town's Hospital School before working at Docwra's rock candy factory in the town. He served in the navy on HMS Raleigh during the second world war.

He has two children - Valerie Allard, 57 and Kevin Darby, 51 - five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Mrs Allard said: “He was self- taught and he sold many of his paintings.”