A FAMILY have thanked the people of Odiham for the way one of their relatives with Down's syndrome was treated.

Roger Wilkinson, of Buffins Road, Odiham, who was well-known around the village, has died at the age of 62.

His mother, Jean Hall, said: "He was the most gentle, happy, smiling, little man. He was a small man with a big heart and he had so much love to give."

Mrs Hall said things were very different when he was born.

She said: "At that time, nothing was known about Down's syndrome.

"People told me that I should put him in an institution. I was never going to let them take him when there was no reason.

"He had a wonderful life and people in Odiham treated him as one of their own. I would like to thank them for their attitude towards him."

As a child, Mr Wilkinson attended a day centre in Goat Lane, in Basingstoke, and later moved to the Winklebury Adult Centre, where he learned how to weld, garden and dance.

Around 200 people raised more than £1,000 for the charity the Twofold Trust, when they attended his funeral on January 29.

In a eulogy read out at Mr Wilkinson's funeral, his sisters Gail Williamson and Debbie Black said: "Roger was a shining example of strength and spirit, laughter and love and he is a genuine reminder of how we would like the whole world to be."