A TOY shop owner who helped bring happiness to generations of children in Woodford Green has died at the age of 72.

Family businessman Peter Dobson ran Ely’s Toys in Snakes Lane East for over 30 years until its closure in 2001.

A popular and well-respected figure in the community, many former customers continued to stay in touch with Mr Dobson long after they left the area, with some families returning to visit the store from as far away as America and Scotland.

His daughter, 41-year-old Julie Elkholy, who worked six days a week at Ely's, paid tribute to her dad.

She said: “He was loved so much and he will be missed so much by all of us. Words can’t really express how we feel.

“He was a very considerate, kind and generous man. He’s an angel now.”

She added: “He loved his job and it was very rewarding to see parents bringing their children into the shop when they themselves had come in when they were younger.

“We’ve had so many of his friends from the toy trade phoning up, they’ve all be very upset.”

Mr Dobson was born in Forest Gate. On leaving school he joined the army as part of his national service, where he became friends with the brother of his future wife Pam.

The pair were introduced and married shortly afterwards in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, in 1958.

The couple then moved to London. Ever a keen entrepreneur, Mr Dobson took over Reads' Motorcycles in Wanstead, which he ran for eight years in the 1960s.

But in 1970 he decided to try his hand at something new, taking on Ely’s from his stepfather.

Originally a small shop, Mr Dobson oversaw its expansion, which included buying up the shop next door.

But in 2001 Mr Dobson decided to retire partly because of ill health. But as he explained to the Guardian at the time, big chains and supermarkets muscling in on the toy trade also had an impact.

He died on Monday April 20. He had been suffering from cancer and prostate problems.

His funeral will be held at Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium in Hainault on Wednesday May 6.

Mr Dobson is survived by his wife Pam, two daughters Julie and Kim, and six grandchildren.