TRIBUTES have been paid to popular Southampton landlord Joe Smith following his colourful send off.

Mourners dressed in Saints shirts lined the streets around The Prince of Wales pub as its former landlord sets off on his final journey.

Joe, who had been in the pub trade for 40 years, previously ran The Canute in Canute Road and The Hope & Anchor in Freemantle. 

Since Joe became poorly two and a half years ago, the running of The Prince of Wales has been taken on by his daughter Anneliese, now 29.

She's the third generation of the Smith family to be at the helm at the Prince of Wales, which her grandparents Peter and Liz Smith ran for 30 years from the late 70s.

Here's what our readers had to say about Joe: 

Sad to read of the loss of Joe, Worked in the pub stacking beer bottles as kid in the early eighties for Peter and Liz, new Joe and Brian, Marie.
The good people of this world go to early and Joe was definitely one of them!
I look forward to drinking a beer in the Prince when I´m next in Southampton.
Daemon Stoner
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Hadn't seen Joe for years. So sorry to hear of his passing. We were at school at the same time. Me at Deanery himbat St Georges but of a night we would play footy on the green by Northam school. Great times RIP Joe.
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A great man met this year in Southampton General when we both on the same ward.
He gave me lots of help and advice and was very kind good to talk to when I was unwell scared.
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Very sad to hear of Joe’s passing. We made contact a few years back after not being in touch since we were in the same class at Bitterne Manor School in the mid to late 60’s. Remember playing football for hours on end either at school or around the Northam estate. Great memories mate! RIP.
Mark
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We supplied beer to Joe in the past. Such a lovely man. We always had a quick pint and chat when we were dropping the beer off. One of the great landlords around Southampton
Paul (CrackleRock)
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I went to school with Joseph at bitterne manor school he was a good friend RIP Joseph