Hundreds of tributes have been paid to the much-loved owner of a Hereford kebab house after his death was announced yesterday.

The death was announced on the Jamal's Kebab House Facebook page on February 19, with a post reading: "It is with a heavy heart that we are letting you know that Jamal has passed away today. He loved all his customers very much, the shop was his passion. 

"Please pray for his soul and for him to be at peace."

Jamal Haider's kebab shop has been a feature in Hereford's Bridge Street for decades.

And hundreds of devastated customers turned out to share their condolences.

"So sad hearing this Jamal was such a lovely man," wrote Jo Osborne. 

"They were the best kebabs in town. RIP Jamal condolences to the family. Hereford legend for sure."

Louise Jones wrote: "Was a night out in the 90/00’s even a night out without popping in for a midnight snack! 

"Sending condolences to his family. So many people in Herefordshire will be sharing a

“Jamal” story tonight, speaks volumes about his impact and the man he was."

And Samantha Camozzi wrote: "He was the best human being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He never judged, never asked..just gave! I will always have a fond heart for him."

Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Paul Stevens also shared his condolences.

"Jamal was a legend in the city and particularly of the night time economy," Coun Stevens said. 

"Jamal's Kebab House opened in Bridge Street in the mid 80s and probably reached a peak in the 90s when revellers queued past his premises to rave the night away in The Crystal Rooms.

"In recent years he started to only open part of the week as he wound down to retirement. He stood along with myself in the 2015 local council elections but sadly was not elected.

"I don't know anyone who ever had a bad word or negative comment about Jamal and we all loved his little dance as he carved away at the rotating donor with his electric knife. I had very recently invited him and his wife to the parlour to drink tea and eat vegetable samosas with me, as he has told me that was the best way to eat them, sadly we had failed to find a suitable date in our diaries.

"Jamal may you rest in peace and I was truly proud to call you a friend."