A KOREAN War veteran who later founded a garden centre in Colden Common has died aged 75.

Carl Hazzard was born on August 29, 1933, in Shirrell Heath, and went to school in Hedge End and technical college in Southampton.

In the early 1950s he was called up for national service, and spent his first year training in Britain before serving in war-torn Korea with the Royal Engineers.

On his return he helped to start Sandyfields Nursery in Main Road, Colden Common.

He founded it with his parents, Winifred and Edgar, and his brother, Tom, in 1955.

After more than 50 years of trading, the Hazzard family still runs the business and lives nearby.

Mr Hazzard tied the knot with his wife, Hazel, in 1961.

Their only son, Andrew, paid tribute to his father this week. He said: “He always came across as a very sociable man. He was personable and had a joke for everybody.”

Mr Hazzard died from a heart attack, after several years of heart problems, on Saturday, May 23. He leaves a wife and a son.

His funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Main Road, Colden Common, tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm, and all are welcome.