Tributes have poured in for a businessman who dedicated his retirement to supporting the Brighton Festival and Sussex County Cricket Club.

Friends and colleagues said Guy Walker, who died on Thursday aged 71, had been an "absolute gentleman" whose enthusiasm had been an inspiration to those around him.

Mr Walker, of Albourne Place, Albourne, near Hurstpierpoint, was an influential, popular and well-respected member of the board of both the festival and the cricket club.

He was also a governor of Varndean College, in Surrenden Road, Brighton, and had been one of the key figures behind the refurbishment of the Brighton Dome.

Lynne Richards, from the Brighton Festival board, said: "He is going to be sadly missed, not only because he was really good at what he did but also because he was such a charming and enthusiastic man."

During his career Mr Walker climbed to the position of national manager in the UK for the Unilever group. He was chief executive of the Van Den Bergh food company and president of the Food and Drink Federation. He was made a CBE for his achievements.

He was instrumental in the creation of Sussex cricket's youth academy. He was a dedicated fan of the side.

Mr Walker's friend Stewart Newton, a member of HSBC's board of directors, said: "He was a very special person. He showed compassion and wit at the same time as real business skills.

"He will be a great loss to all those people who knew him and everything he was involved with."

Mrs Richards said Mr Walker and his wife Marian had attended events every day and night during the Brighton Festival since its launch. He had hoped to be able to attend this year's festival which started on Tuesday but a long-term heart condition worsened in the past fortnight and caused his death.

Mrs Richards said Mr Walker had left two daughters, a son and grandchildren.

Paul Loman, chairman of the governors at Varndean College, said: "He had a great zest for life. Whenever you saw him he always had so much energy, even in the last few months when he was quite unwell.

"I think that was why he became involved in so many things on his retirement, he liked to be productive. His experience and expertise were invaluable for the college. He was be greatly missed."

Pay your tributes to Mr Walker below.