TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Stourbridge Spiritualist minister and former Black Country businessman who has died at the age of 89.

Honourary president of Stourbridge National Spiritualist Church and a minister for 60 years, Eric Hatton held the highest office in Spiritualism in the UK as honourary president and a former president of the Spiritualists' National Union.

Mr Hatton, who grew up in Brierley Hill, became interested in Spiritualism in the 1940s while in the Royal Air Force - and after the death of his brother Bert in a plane crash in Singapore in 1946 he made it his life's mission to find evidence of existence beyond the grave.

A demonstration by renowned medium Gordon Higginson changed the course of his life - and in his 2011 autobiography, Taking up the Challenge, great-grandfather Mr Hatton claimed experiences during his lifelong involvement with the Spiritualist movement had indeed provided him with the proof he'd sought.

His findings provided comfort, he said, following the death in 2007 of his beloved wife Heather, a respected and popular medium.

As a couple - the Hattons, who were married for more than 50 years, played host to many top mediums of the time at the Union Street church and at their home in Broughton Road, Pedmore.

Mr Hatton's heartbroken daughter Lisa described her father as a "wonderful, caring, sensitive man who devoted his life to helping others through the church and in business" and she said: "He will be missed by so many people. He was so loved."

Aside from his devotion to Spiritualism - the popular minister, who was involved with the Stourbridge church for nearly 70 years, was a well-known Black Country businessman who ran a wholesale stationery company in Cradley Heath for 50 years.

He was also involved with North Worcestershire Operatic Society and Stourbridge's old Gilbert and Sullivan Club which both he and Heather trod the boards with in their younger days.

Mr Hatton also helped raise thousands of pounds to help international disaster victims through a charity he set up called Spiritualist Aid. The organisation helped hundreds of causes and after the Asian tsunami it donated more than £64,000 to help with rebuilding projects in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Minister David R Bruton, president of the Spiritualists' National Union, said Mr Hatton had "touched the lives of many people throughout his life", adding: "He has truly been a great ambassador for Spirit and Spiritualism."

Cissie Shaw, who was secretary at Mr Hatton's firm E L Hatton and at the church, said: "He was a wonderful leader of the church. He was a super man, very sociable and pleasant; he had rare gifts."

Despite declining health which led to him stepping down from his role as president of Stourbridge National Spiritualist Church in 2011, Mr Hatton published a book about the history of his beloved church the following year with help from former Psychic News editor Susan Farrow - who became his companion and carer.

His condition, however, continued to worsen over the last few years and he passed away at his home on November 6.

As well as daughter Lisa - he leaves a son Jon, grandchildren Tristan, Jamie, Alexandra, Philippa, Ella and Mia, and great grandchildren Max and Josh.

Laraine Killarney, who suceeded Mr Hatton as president at the church, said Mr Hatton was "one of the great pioneers of Spiritualism" and added: "I'm proud that he was my mentor. He's gone but he'll never be forgotten."

His funeral will be held at Stourbridge National Spiritualist Church at noon on Friday November 20 followed by private committal at Stourbridge Crematorium.

Donations in his memory will go to Cancer Research UK and Russell's Hall Hospital and can be made to J Vernon Kendrick, Cemetery Road, Lye DY9 8DB.