Tributes are pouring in for a hugely popular GP, who has died after contracting the Covid-19 virus.

Syrian-born Dr Fayez-Khaled Ayache who retired from the Constable Country Medical Practice at East Bergholt, passed away at Ipswich hospital aged 76, six days after being admitted with the coronavirus..

He had also worked at Ipswich Hospital as an ear, nose and throat specialist and had briefly come out of retirement to help at a Clacton clinic, before being told to isolate at home as he was more than 70.

Dr Ayache was renowned for being compassionate, caring and extremely knowledgeable.

Tributes to him in English and Arabic have been made on a number of social media platforms,

One Brantham family told of how he had saved their daughter's life as a baby more than 30 years ago but have never forgotten him, and were distraught to learn of his death.

Many described him as 'my favourite doctor', who had looked after generations of families

Another said he was 'a great doctor and and even greater person'.

One Syrian summed up many when he wrote: 'He was the kindest , sweetest , most generous human being I can describe. A gentleman, a father , a friend and uncle to my family.'

After leaving Syria in 1973 to become a doctor he was a GP Constable Country Medical Practice East Bergholt, which is used by many people from Brantham and other parts of the peninsula.

The doctor never forgot his homeland and was an active proponent of the Suffolk Refugee Support looking after Syrians fleeing the war there.

Dr Ayache, leaves two daughters, Layla, and Sarah, and a granddaughter.