TRIBUTES have been paid to a Largs businessman who captained two Great Britain sports teams.

At his funeral service in St John's Church last Thursday it was revealed that Hugh McCall Frazer had led both the UK boys' shooting team and the national Civil Service football team at Crystal Palace.

McCall, as he was known, who died recently at the age of 88, was successful in both sport and business.

He was born in 1930 to Hugh and Jenny Frazer in Stanlane Place, Largs, and had two older brothers, Archie and John.

When the family owned and lived at the Pier Garage in Fairlie, McCall was literally blown out of bed when a stray bomb from a German warplane landed nearby.

As a pupil at Strathallan School in Perthshire he was a skilful shooter who was chosen to lead the UK team in international competitions. But he was also a talented footballer, playing for Queens Park, Motherwell, Auchinleck Talbot and English senior club Leyton Orient while based in London. His leadership qualities saw him captain the UK Civil Service team.

During his army national service he served on HMS Belfast in Hong Kong and Singapore on minesweeping duties.

In the 50s he joined the Civil Service in London where, in 1953, he married Evelyn - whom he met at the old Moorings Ballroom in Largs. They had four children, Fiona, David, Graham and Jane, as well as six grandchildren and a great-grandson.

McCall and Evelyn returned to Largs to run the family's Clyde Coast bus company and petrol stations, which included the Pier Garage and Largs Castlebay Station. They eventually settled in Brisbane Glen Road.

He was a former president of Largs Rotary Club and enjoyed his golf in Portugal and Largs GC where he was a scratch player at one time. He was well-known for his Cashmere sweaters, socks and big cigars!

Rev Jonathan Fleming, who conducted the services at St John's and the new crematorium, said that when his beloved Evelyn died last year after more than 60 years of marriage,"a light went out for McCall."

A collection was taken for Alzheimer Scotland in memory of Evelyn, and family and friends gathered at Largs Golf Club.