STAFF and residents at a nursing home have placed a bench in its grounds as a tribute to a popular handyman.

Stan Newell, a former welder at Shildon wagonworks, became a maintenance man at Bishopgate Lodge, Bishop Auckland, when the home opened in 1991.

He retired more than a decade later, but continued to visit the home five days a week to run errands until he died, aged 80, in February.

Manager Val Davies said: "We wanted to do something in Stan's memory. He was close to all the staff and residents, and he was also very popular at Asda supermarket, in the town, were he had been a trolley collector."

Nurse Doreen Hodgson said: "Stan was held in high esteem for his meticulous attention to his work.

"Everyone still misses his willingness and cheery outlook on life. He was a gentleman."

Mr Newell left two daughters, Gail Bolton and Cecilie Ann Morland, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Mrs Bolton, her husband Alan, and daughter Rebecca, attended a ceremony to unveil the bench and a plaque in Mr Newell's memory.

She said: "The home was very important to dad, especially after he lost his wife, Freda, in 1996."