The family of Suffolk tennis legend Peter Mornard, who has died at the age of 70, have paid tribute to the player and referee.

Ipswich Star: Peter Mornard was a regular tennis writer for the EADT and Ipswich Star. Picture: PHIL MORLEYPeter Mornard was a regular tennis writer for the EADT and Ipswich Star. Picture: PHIL MORLEY

Peter died last weekend after a long battle with stomach cancer.

His older sister, Sue Fulcher, paid tribute to her brother who she described as “quite a character” and “a wonderful teacher”.

Peter was well known amongst the Suffolk tennis community having a prominent role at Suffolk Lawn Tennis Association for 43 years and spending 28 years as a Lawn Tennis Association national representative.

His journey in sport started some years before when he played at the Framlingham Tennis Tournament, following in the footsteps of his parents who had also played and refereed in their day.

Ipswich Star: Peter as King Eggbery the Unready with Buckleshham Player. Picture: JOHN KERRPeter as King Eggbery the Unready with Buckleshham Player. Picture: JOHN KERR

“It was very much in the family,” said Sue.

Peter was also well known across the border in Norfolk where he spent 30 years referring at the Hunstanton Tennis Tournament.

Outside of East Anglia Peter also enjoyed working at Wimbledon for the All England Tennis Club as an assistant referee until 2012.

In 2013 Peter was presented with the Active Waveney Lifetime Achievement award at the Suffolk Sports Awards for his service and dedication to the sport in the district.

As well as tennis Peter was also a great football fan and a regular table tennis player when he was younger.

Outside of sport one of Peter’s other great loves in life was acting. where he was a regular part of events put on by Bucklesham Players.

Hopes had been high that Peter would be able to return to his role as a compere this year.

“Acting was one of his great loves,” said Sue, “He was the best Hook that there’s ever been.”

Peter used his acting to help local charities often asking the group to do more concerts for those at St Elizabeth’s Hospital where he later died.

He had recently celebrated his 70th birthday surrounded by family who had travelled from America to see him.

Another of Peter’s talents was writing and he will be well known by both the EADT and Ipswich Star readers as a regular tennis correspondent.

More memories of Peter’s tennis career… in today’s sports section.