TRIBUTES have been paid to proud and protective Peter Rouse who worked at Oxford Railway Station for nearly 50 years.

Mr Rouse, who died earlier this month, started working at the age of 14 as a shunter at the station.

Living for most of his adult live in Wolvercote, he loved everything to do with the outdoors.

His daughter Janet said he was very proud and was protective of his family.

She said: "It was his job to be the provider and he certainly made sure he did that."

Peter Gerald Rouse was born on November 22, 1927 in St Giles, Oxford.

His parents were Bertie and Dorothy Rouse and he had one sister, named Hilda, who now lives in Somerset.

Growing up in Pensons Gardens, in the St Ebbes area of Oxford, he started working at Oxford Railway Station a very young age, just 14.

He left that job and for a short time went to work at a factory in the city but found it too claustrophobic, so went back to working in the outdoors.

He started again at Oxford Railway Station where he then stayed for 46 years, working as a shunter, moving small locomotives. As he got older he worked more on the platforms. He had a love for trains, and everything to do with the outdoors, which he then passed onto his children.

In the 1950s he met Gwen Pitcher in Oxford at a party and the pair became smitten almost immediately. They married in Wolvercote Parish Church on July 18 1953.

The pair had daughter Janet Rosemarie in 1957 and then son Gerald Philip in 1958.

Mr Rouse was said to be besotted with his family, especially his great grandsons, Riley, seven, who he described as his "little mate", as well Camden, one, and Macsen, six months, who both live in New York.

Gardening was also a great love and Mr Rouse had allotments where he grew his own food. He was also keen on any form of DIY.

His family called him a generous man who would do all he could to help others.

Mr Rouse is survived by his wife Gwen, daughter Janet, son Gerald, granddaughters Emma and Laura and his three great-grandsons Riley, Camden and Macsen.

He died on June 3 2016 with his family around him in the John Radcliffe Hospital. His funeral took place on June 16 2016.