THE daughters of a man who dedicated much of his life to Scouting have described him as "very caring and devoted."

Bill Webber, a former secretary for the scouts in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, died on Monday, aged 82.

The father-of-three, from Sneyd Green, got involved with Scouting when he came to the Potteries as a Bevan Boy during the Second World War, rising to Scout leader in the early 1940s, before taking a post as secretary until he retired at the age of 65.

Mr Webber's involvement with the Scouts was so strong it encouraged his daughter Jill Cooper to join too.

Tributes were led by Mrs Cooper and her sister Lynne Bradburn, both of Hanley Road, Sneyd Green.

Mrs Cooper, a 59-year-old vocal coach, said: "Even when I was three, I was presenting a bouquet to the lady mayoress at the opening of a Scout hut. Part of my dad's work was starting up the live chaplaincy scheme for Scouts and I worked alongside him as secretary. He was a fantastic dad and got a lot of respect from people.

"I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him. We will miss him a lot."

Mrs Bradburn, aged 52, who works as a music teacher, said she will miss her dad's advice.

She said: "We were always proud of his involvement with the Scouts. He gave a lot of his life to it because he wanted to encourage boys to have a good life. People say he really made a difference."

Mr Webber, who was born in London, met his late wife Jean while he was at church with the Scouts and the two of them would put on shows together during the war. The pair married in 1948 but Mrs Webber died in 2002, aged 78.

After he retired, Mr Webber became involved with Biddulph Male Voice Choir. Mrs Bradburn is also a committed member of the group.

She said: "Dad used to ask about the group even when he was ill. He was a very loving father who was very caring and devoted. He was a very special grandad and was always there for my daughter Anna."

Mr Webber had been in and out of hospital since December and died of heart failure at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. He also leaves behind three grandchildren and his partner of more than five years, Kath Holmes.

The 74-year-old, of Cadeby Grove, Milton, where Mr Webber spent much of his time, said: "He was my best friend and wonderful to be with.

"We had a good time together and got on extremely well."

Mr Webber's funeral takes place on Tuesday, June 2 at the church of St Philip and St James, in Milton. The service will start at 1.30pm.