A POPULAR shop owner who died following a short but brave battle with cancer will be remembered as a ‘larger than life character’.

James Robinson paid tribute to his dad Peter Robinson, who ran Dorchester Cycles in Great Western Road for more than 20 years.

Peter died at the age of 65 last month, just weeks after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

His son said he was a well-known local figure who ‘lived life to the full’ and will be sadly missed.

Peter moved down to Dorset in the 1960s and worked in various retail jobs in the area opening up Dorchester Cycles in Great Western Road in October 1988.

The bike shop moved to its current larger premises on the same road in 1991 and Peter became a familiar face in the store over the next two decades.

James, 42, said: “He was well known as ‘Mr Dorchester Cycles’.

“He was on holiday in France once and someone walked past and said ‘oh, it’s Mr Dorchester Cycles’.”

Peter, a keen sailor and member of Weymouth Sailing Club, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999.

He also served as President of the National Association of Cycle Traders in the late 1990s and was editor of South West Dorset branch of the MS Society newsletter.

On April 1 Peter was diagnosed with cancer and he went to the Joseph Weld hospice last month before passing away.

James said the family was shocked at his father’s rapid deterioration.

He said: “It’s a real shock. It was just so quick.

“He was certainly a fighter and fought the disease till the end. With the MS it was an uphill battle but he very much lived life to the full.”

James also paid tribute to the ‘fantastic’ care given to his father at the hospice.

Peter also leaves behind his wife Anne, daughter Mandy Edwards and his five grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at Weymouth Crematorium at 4pm on Tuesday, June 7.

Instead of flowers the family are asking for donations to the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

l THIS year’s Great Dorset Bike Ride will be raising funds for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust in memory of Peter Robinson.

For more information visit greatdorsetbikeride.co.uk