RESIDENTS of an estate have paid tribute to a pillar of the community who died after going to a relative's aid.

People living on the Horn Park estate have spoken of their shock after retired electrician Mick Foster died suddenly after suffering a heart attack.

The 60-year-old went to help his wife's 93-year-old stepmother, who thought she had an intruder in her back garden.

It was on his way back from helping her he had a heart attack outside her home in Gavestone Road, Lee.

Mick's son Michael, 38, tried to resuscitate him and put him in the recovery position until the ambulance arrived.

But the father-of-four, who had lived on the estate for 26 years, did not regain consciousness and later died at Lewisham Hospital.

Speaking before his funeral, to be held tomorrow at Falconwood Crematorium, Crown Woods Way, Eltham, Michael said: "He will be a man who will be missed in the community.

"He was the best dad, best grandad, best husband and best friend anyone could ever had. He loved the kids.

"He was reliable and would never let anyone down. He was all that to us and more."

Mr Foster's next-door neighbour John Andrews, 59, of Alnwick Road, Lee, said: "He was the most respected man on this estate.

"He was a pillar of society without a doubt.

"I couldn't praise him enough for who he was. It was tragic. The good do die young.

"He put himself out for others until his death and this will be his legacy."

Mr Foster campaigned for CCTV cameras along Gavestone Road, to tackle anti-social behaviour issues on the estate.

Shopkeeper Umesh Patel, who knew him for 18 years, said: "When you needed help, he would be there for you. He was a very good communicator; he knew how to settle disputes.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone."

Gavestone Road resident Karen Mee, 59, said: "He was a really brilliant bloke and I'm shocked about his death.

"He represented what we are losing in the community, which is comradeship."