Blue and white balloons released in memory of Chelsea fan Colin

Sixty balloons have been released in memory of a former Sainsbury's worker in the colours of his favourite football team.

Staff and customers at Sainsbury's, Balderton, were joined by family and friends of Mr Colin Locke before his funeral today (Monday) to release blue and white balloons in the colours of his favourite team, Chelsea FC.

Mr Locke died on February 12 at the age of 62 following a battle with cancer.

Several messages were left in book of condolence in Sainsbury's where Mr Locke was a popular colleague.

Balloons were sold for £3 each and the money raised will be donated to Beaumond House Community Hospice, where Mr Locke received care.

Chelsea fan

Store supervisor Sheri Lenton came up with the idea of releasing balloons in Mr Locke's memory.

She said: "Colin was my colleague and this is our way of saying thank you.

"We chose blue and white balloons because he was a Chelsea fan.

"It's something we can do with the family to pay our respects."

Store manager Mr Gary Evans said it was the store's way of paying their respects to Mr Locke.

"Every colleague that's bought one has written a little message on their balloon," he said.

"We have had a lot of support for the balloons from colleagues and customers.

"Everyone has really bought into it as a good way of paying our respects to Colin and it's a nice gesture for the family.

"It's a really nice way of bringing everyone together."

-There are still places available for anyone who wants to run the Newark Half-marathon in support of Beaumond House on August 13.

For a registration form for one of the hospice places, call 01636 610556 or email Cathryn.Crane@beaumondhouse.co.uk