FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a well-loved local character who built a small western town in his back garden.

Roy Hutchins, known as Cowboy Roy, built the town in his garden in Haughurst Hill, Baughurst, and during his lifetime appeared on television and in local media to talk about his ranch.

Roy, a gardener and woodsman, died at the age of 82 on April 20 in the Grange Nursing Home, Sherborne St John.

At his funeral, a horse-drawn hearse made a slow procession to St Stephens, Baughurst, where around 50 of his closest family and friends gathered to pay their final respects.

Old friend Ray Nash said: “He was a real character and loved living his life as a cowboy.

“Roy was a quiet man, always calm and relaxed, and he spoke softly and kindly about strangers and friends.

“If you were stressed and worried, after about 10 minutes with Roy you would be totally relaxed. He was good company and he was well liked.”

Mr Nash told the mourners that Roy had once met Richard Burton, who was visiting friends in the area, saying: “He was most impressed with Roy’s lifestyle and added ‘I would swap my life for yours any day’ – that made Roy’s day!”

Roy’s sister Jill Harding said that the ranch, which he built in the 1970s, was a passion for her brother.

Mrs Harding, who grew up in Haughurst Hill but now lives in Derbyshire, said: “It wasn’t a commercial venture – it was just a private thing, but it was something he loved.”

She described Roy, who never married or had children, as “very much a country person” and said he loved gardening and being around his friends.