TRIBUTES have been pouring in to the family of Okehampton window cleaner Ron Gratton, who died recently at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.

Mr Gratton had been cleaning windows in the town for 45 years and he kept his business going despite competition from the big contractors.

One of the town's characters, Mr Gratton always had a friendly word to say or joke to share with people.

According to his family wherever there was a window to clean, Mr Gratton was there ready with his ladders and brushes.

His wife, Connie, said she had received many letters and cards from people in the town who had come into contact with her husband.

'Ron always had time to chat with people and that made him popular,' she said.

Manager of the White Hart Hotel Graham Watts said he never had to tell Mr Gratton what to do, it just came automatically.

'He had some tales to tell about his window cleaning experiences,' said Mr Watts. 'It will be strange not to see him around the place anymore — all our sympathies go to the family at this time.'