TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Millport businessman and entrepreneur who has passed away at the age of 55.

Sean Haston was the owner of On Your Bike shop and a well-kent face across the island with locals and tourists alike.

Sean was found dead in his house and a post-mortem later revealed that he had died from coronary heart disease.

His sister Lesley this week paid tribute to her 'wonderful' brother and spoke of his love of Millport and its wildlife.

He originally came from the south side of Glasgow and served his time as a motorbike mechanic apprentice, working around the UK before moving to Millport.

When the former Tourism Information Centre premises became available on the island, Sean took the opportunity to realise a lifelong ambition and open his own bike hire venture.

The success of the shop saw it progress into selling everything from kayaks and paddleboards to binoculars for birdwatching and helped fund Sean's second venture, electric scooter hire business Scoot About, which he began two years ago.

Lesley said: "We didn't as a family have any particular connection to Millport but Sean loved the island and was passionate about its wildlife.

"Sean fancied transferring his skills from his motorbike mechanic apprenticeship to hiring out bikes and then latterly electric scooters. He opened On Your Bike around 15 years ago.

"He always encouraged people to go out and enjoy the scenery on the island.

"Sean was business minded from an early age. He was a great admirer of Richard Branson and wanted to build up an empire. He always had an entrepreneurial spirit about him..

"He spotted another opportunity when he opened another premises Scoot About and introduced his electric scooters to the island, which proved very popular.

"The council had other ideas unfortunately and tried to stop him from selling them but in the end he was successful in his battle.

"The e-scooters are environmentally friendly and even Elaine C Smith visited the shop when she did her STV show last year and sat on them for her programme.

"Sean phoned me up after she visited, he was very excited about her popping in."

It was hard graft during the summer months for Sean, who opened seven days a week, but once the season ended, he would often travel for five months, visiting Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines, and had only just returned in early March from another overseas adventure.

Sean's funeral took place in Glasgow on Monday afternoon and was broadcast online for the benefit of people who couldn't attend because of coronavirus restrictions.

Lesley added: "We have received some really nice messages and tributes from friends. They show how much Sean meant to people, which has been a comfort to us.

"He was always keen to travel and why not when you have worked hard all summer.

"Sean didn't live a particularly unhealthy lifestyle and was always fully focussed on his businesses on the island.

"He was a really unique character with a good sense of humour and will be much missed."

Friend and keen cyclist Sean McManus, of Largs, also paid tribute.

He said: "I hope Sean rests in peace. He was a true entrepreneur and a character I won’t forget."

Sean is survived by Lesley and brother Brian. The family told the News they plan to host a celebration of Sean's life locally when it is safe to do so.