Friends of Major Bruce Shand have paid tribute to his unstinting commitment to improving Sussex life.

Major Shand, the father of Duchess of Cornwall, died on Sunday aged 89.

He was a former Vice Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex and was master of the South Downs Hunt for 19 years. He lived in Plumpton, near Lewes, for much of his life.

Phyllida Stewart-Roberts, the current Lord Lieutenant, said Major Shand had been well-liked, known for both integrity and generosity.

She said: "He was extremely kind and very popular. He took the time to get to know everyone and never forgot a name. He was always interested in finding out all about people, no matter who they were.

"He was absolutely dedicated to doing all he could for his county."

Mrs Stewart-Roberts said everyone in Plumpton had known Major Shand. He was well known for the regular garden parties he hosted for the village community.

Colin Evans, chairman of the South Down and Eridge Hunt, said he remembered Major Shand's excellent sense of humour and outstanding horsemanship.

He said Major Shand had built strong relations with farmers and landowners throughout the hunt's area during an unusually long spell as hunt master from 1956 to 1975.

Another hunt member Julia Caffyn said she had ridden with Major Shand from the age of 13.

Mrs Caffyn said: "He was excellent company and always had a good sense of humour, I can't remember ever seeing him rattled."

Mrs Stewart-Roberts said Major Shand had a reputation for generosity and supported many causes in Sussex, without ever seeking public thanks for his efforts.

He was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Sussex in 1962 and served as Vice Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex from 1979 to 1992, representing the Queen on official occasions in the county.

Major Shand earned a reputation for bravery and integrity while serving in the Army in North Africa during the Second World War. He earned two Military Crosses in 1939 and was praised by prime minister Winston Churchill when he made a morale-boosting visit to the troops.

Major Shand was shot twice during the battle of El Alamein in 1942 and captured by the enemy.

After the war he became a wine merchant and bought homes in Kensington and Plumpton.

He married in 1946 and had three children, Camilla, Annabel and Mark. He stayed in East Sussex until the death of his wife Rosalind in 1994, when he moved to Dorset.

He became close to Camilla later in life and she created an apartment for him at Clarence House, the London home she shares with her husband the Prince of Wales.