TRIBUTES are to be paid to a popular Southampton businessman today. 

Mr Jiwan Prakash Chopra was one of the fore members of the Indian, Asian community in Southampton.

Born on June 6, 1932, in India, Mr Chopra first came to Southampton in 1964 to join his cousin living in Southampton. 

He had several jobs in the city and became an entrepreneur running several businesses including sub-postmaster of Onslow Road, Weston, post office.

He ran his last business, Eastern Promise, in Ocean Village following the launch of the village in the 1980s.

Mr Chopra was married with four children and eight grandchildren.

He has been described by his family as a "very charitable man" who was "respected and well known by all the communities", supporting many charities and a founder member of the Vedic Society in Southampton.

He worked on many projects within the city including Race Relations and Inter-faith Network.

He also served as a director for Age Concern Southampton from 2007 to 2012. 

Up until his death on October 30, he was active and working with the Southampton General Hospital patient panel helping and supporting patients.

His funeral takes place today at Southampton Crematorium and the horse-drawn hearse will leave from his home address in Ocean Village. 

The route will go from Ocean Village to The Avenue and up out of city to the Chilworth roundabout to the Southampton Crematorium along Bassett Green Road.

A large turn-out of community members are expected to pay tribute to him at the crematorium including people attending from Leeds, London and Birmingham.