HUNDREDS of people are expected to gather at Kingsdown Crematorium today to pay tribute to Britain’s oldest paperboy.

Charlie Reynolds, the popular original owner of Reynolds Newsagents, in Ermin Street, Stratton, died at the age of 96 on February 27 at the Great Western Hospital.

Charlie, who was born in South Marston, grew up in Swindon and worked as an apprentice boiler worker at the GWR Railway Works before heading for the south coast to work for Saunders-Roe flying-boat company on the Isle of Wight.

After the Second World War he returned to Swindon, where one of his sisters had married a town newsagent by the name of Samworth.

Right up until last month, come rain or shine, the great grandfather-of-three spent from 7am to 9am taking charge of the family shop, which he bought in 1961 and handed down to his son in 1979.

His funeral will take place at Kingsdown Crematorium at 12.30pm.

Family flowers only are requested but donations for CALM may be sent c/o Pearce Funeral Services, 92 Ermin Street, Stratton St Margaret, SN3 4NN.