A FORMER gun designer who received the OBE for his services to the weapons industry has died at the age of 88.

Norman Brint was living in Waltham Abbey when he designed the Rarden 30mm cannon during his time working at the Royal Small Arms Factory, in Enfield.

First produced in the 1970s, the weapon, which can be fitted to a variety of vehicles, saw action in the Falklands War and is still in use today although the Ministry of Defence is currently working on a replacement.

Born in Dorking, Surrey, Mr Brint moved to The Cobbins, in Waltham Abbey in 1952 where he remained for the next 56 years.

He retired from his work at the age of 63 and was awarded the OBE 12 years ago.

After the death of his first wife Daphne, Mr Brint remarried late in life when he was wed to Ayleen at the Abbey Church in 2008.

The couple then moved to a house in Gidea Park, London, where Mr Brint died after a battle with cancer. His funeral service was held in Upminster.

Mr Brint's daughter Gill Adams, 58, said: “He was a carpenter but he said he went into gun design because there was no money in carpentry. He was quite a handy man.

“Everyone loved him- he was a very lovable man. He was very jolly and used to dress up for dancing. He would walk into a room and light it up.”

As well as Mrs Adams, Mr Brint had another daughter Deidre, and three grandchildren.