Fenn Wright has announced with “great sadness” that its former senior partner Roger Dennis died on Boxing Day at the age of 82.

He joined the estate agency in 1965 and was a well-known personality in the Colchester business community.

Dennis specialised in the sale of town and country houses in Colchester and the surrounding villages.

Having spent 23 years with the firm, he was appointed a partner of the firm in 1988, before becoming senior partner in 1995.

The 82-year-old eventually retired from the  role in 2004 but enjoyed a further two years as a consultant at Fenn Wright, which has branches across Essex, including Colchester High Street, Stanway and Manningtree.

The firm’s existing senior partner Alan Williams paid tribute to Roger.

Williams said: “Roger was a true one off who embodied the traditional values of Fenn Wright, and I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity he gave me to join the business.

“He was a formidable and much-loved personality who demanded high standards, but was also very caring.

“He took an interest in all staff who worked for him and was always focused on achieving the best outcome for his clients.

“He was extremely knowledgeable with an incredible memory for the details of house sales he dealt with over the years.”

Dennis leaves a widow, Heather, and two sons, Andrew and Philip.