ERIC Morris, who has died at the age of 80, will be best remembered as a leading Forest freeminer.

But his real legacy could be a suggestion that would prevent flooding in Lydbrook, said close friend Bruce Hogan.

Speaking at a public meeting shortly before his death, Mr Morris said the flood risk could be reduced by diverting the Great Hough Brook and channelling it through old mine workings.

Cllr Hogan, speaking in tribute at Mr Morris's funeral, said: "That idea is being seriously looked into. It might well be his legacy to the village of Lydbrook."

Mr Morris died suddenly on Saturday, January 25 and his funeral took place at the Forest Church, Drybrook last Friday (February 7), conducted by Rev Nick Bromfield.

He was born in May 1933 at The Pludds, the youngest of three boys, and he lived there all his life.

Although he was "wonderfully articulate and widely read" he decided to follow his father down the pit joining him at the Waterloo Colliery in 1949.

Cllr Hogan said: "He said the proudest moment of his life was when he heard his father and some of his colleagues describe him as a 'damn fine collier'."

He later registered as a freeminer and worked at The Reddings. He was to become president of the Freeminers' Association for 40 years.

Mr Morris married his wife Audrey in 1961 after meeting her in a pub in Longhope.

Cllr Hogan said he first met Mr Morris in 1976 "in a pub – where else?"

He added: "There were a bunch of characters straight out of Forest Central Casting and the accents were so thick you could have cut them with an axe."

He said that when he needed a private sewer to be dug Mr Morris brought a JCB and did the work but the only payment he would accept was the fuel for the digger.

"What a wonderful man, he was always ready to lend a hand."

Cllr Hogan finished an emotional tribute saying: "Thanks for being the man you were; thanks old mate."

Derek Hancox, Mr Morris's second cousin, said there was not much Eric did not know about what went on underground.

"He was an intelligent and articulate man and he gave me a lot of inspiration.

"He was dogged and single-minded and that stayed with him until the last day of his life."