WARM?tributes have been paid to well loved and highly respected Petersfield solicitor Michael Dalton who has died after a short illness. He was 62.

St Peter’s Church was packed for Michael’s funeral and it was a moving sight for the family to see people lined up outside his offices at Lyndum House in the High Street, clapping as his cortege went by.

Lancashire-born Michael moved to Hampshire when he was 18, and opened firms in Hayling Island and Portsmouth before setting up Dalton Solicitors in Petersfield in the 1990s.

Many clients remained loyal to him throughout his career, he was a mentor for many young entrepreneurs and a former president of the South East Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Away from the office, Michael enjoyed early morning Heath walks with his dog, Keano, mountain hiking and skiing.

He ran the London Marathon twice, cycled from Hayling Island to Paris and completed the Four Peaks Challenge.

He hosted many charity events including the Daltons annual charity cricket match against Liss Cricket Club.

Long-term members of his staff Gill Moss-Bowpitt and Carole Powell said:?“Michael was the best boss we have ever worked for.

“He never lost his temper and treated us an equal part of his team.

“He had a no-blame culture, remained calm in a crisis and always went the extra mile for his clients. And our Friday lunchtime ‘team meetings’ in the Folly Wine Bar were legendary.”

Michael leaves his partner of 14 years, Christine Barrett.