Tributes paid to Bury St Edmunds ice cream seller Sándor Földi, owner of Mister Softee Special van on Angel Hill

Tributes have been paid to a beloved Bury St Edmunds man who served up smiles from his ice cream van for more than 50 years.

Sándor (Alec) Földi, who died aged 94 on February 28, was a familiar face on Angel Hill who served thousands of customers from the Mister Softee Special van alongside his wife Diane.

Their son Peter, who now runs the business, said: “I remember finishing school and walking straight down there to see him.

“He was a big personality and just loved being around people — and selling ice cream was just his absolute favourite thing to do.

“He was living at home and was still quite mobile until just after Christmas, and that’s when he started going down hill.

“I know he will be greatly missed by so many people.”

Originally working as an engineer, Mr Földi came to the UK at 27 as a Hungarian refugee following the 1956 Hungarian Uprising.

He began working with the Bertram Mills Circus where he crossed paths with renowned performers including Coco the Clown.

He also worked at Ipswich's Crane Ltd before transitioning into the ice cream business after responding to an ad for Tonibell.

Eventually, Mr Földi bought his own van and started his business in 1962 as he travelled across East Anglia before settling in Bury.

Mr Földi’s funeral will be held at West Suffolk Crematorium on Friday, March 28 at 10am in St Edmunds Chapel.

Peter added: “It’s been a stressful time at the moment but once everything is done we will back on the Hill soon to continue his legacy.”