Tributes paid to "Burping Man"

ONE of Winchester's best-known characters has died. Ron Purse, known to many as the "Burping Man", was found dead at his home in Fivefields Road, Highcliffe, at the weekend.

Neighbours had grown worried about his non-appearance and police broke in to find his body.

The cause of death is thought to be natural causes.

The central Hampshire coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

Mr Purse, 71, was a familiar figure on city streets, pushing his decorated pram around during the annual Hat Fair and at Christmas.

Deputy Mayor Chris Pines, who had known Mr Purse for decades, said: "He was a lovely old thing. He had a heart of gold, although his way of dealing with things was not often the most sensible.

"If he knew you had a birthday he would find something on the street and wrap it in newspaper and give it to you.

"He was a Winchester character. In a strange kind of way he was one of the people that Winchester accepts and looks after and makes Winchester that kind of slightly oddball place."

Mr Purse would talk to strangers in the street with a cheery "Never mind, soon be Christmas!" or "Soon be Easter!"

He played the role of peacemaker during an anti-poll tax demonstration in the Guildhall in the early 1990s.

Protesters had hijacked a council meeting and feelings were running high. Mr Purse, who had tagged along, stood up and in his high-pitched voice appealed for calm. The resulting widespread laughter defused the situation.

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett, who lives near Salisbury and visits Winchester, dispelled popular rumours that he had based one of his characters on Mr Purse.

Mr Purse is survived by two older brothers. He is not believed to have married.

Details of his funeral will be announced shortly.