AN ISLAND estate agent for 52 years, David Salter has died at the age of 71.

As a boy, Dave lived in Sandown and Niton with his parents John (known as Jack) and Elsie, brother John and sister Jeanne. His mother was a seamstress and his father was a farm manager.

Dave attended Priory Boys' School shortly after his parents moved to Newport, and he thrived both academically and socially, creating a solid network of friends. He was also a keen sportsman and played competitive football.

When he left school at 17, he started working for Sir Francis Pittis as an estate agent. He had some experience with farming because of his father's background and therefore transitioned easily into handling the stock section of the Tuesday Newport market.

Dave stayed with Pittis until he was 24, before moving off the Island to work for Mann & Co in Guildford. He felt separated from the Island and after a year moved back and worked with Creasey and Jeffrey.

He married his sweetheart Chrissy in 1972 and they had two daughters, Louise and Emma.

Over his long career he also worked with Keith Rogers, Biles and King and finally Hose Rhodes Dickson at their Shanklin office, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Dave loved living and working on the Island, and was popular both socially and professionally. With 52 years as an estate agent, he was highly respected.

David died after a long illness on August 5, at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

He leaves his wife of 45 years, Chrissy, daughters Emma and Louise, grandchildren Phoebe, Toby, Josh and Lottie, son-in-laws Mike and Trevor, sister Jeanne and brother-in-law Roy.

The family would like to make a special mention to Mark and Kathryn Grimes, of The Wight Brainy Bunch, and all the staff at the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, for the love, support, kindness and care they gave to Dave and the family in the final 18 months of his life.