Tributes have been paid to a businessman from Devon who was fatally stabbed in Bridgwater, Somerset. [27 June 2012]

Friends of Mike Bithrey, 72, from Honiton, have described him as kind, genuine and a "smart cookie".

One of them, Sonya Cowley, said "a lot of people in Honiton will be terribly distressed about this, I feel devastated for his family".

An 83-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of Mr Bithrey's murder is currently being treated in hospital.

'Sound advice'

Mrs Cowley added: "When I retired, Michael encouraged me to start my own business, he said 'you go for it'.

"He really, really encouraged me - he was all for people going for working for themselves and he was such a kind man.

"I sometimes asked for advice from him, and he always gave sound advice, he was a pretty smart cookie really."

Officers were called to Chilton Street in Bridgwater at about 10:50 BST last Thursday following reports of a disturbance.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the suspect remained "under police supervision" at this time.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be a stab wound.

Mr Bithrey was airlifted to Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Police continue to appeal for witnesses.

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