TRIBUTES have been paid to an Abingdon man who designed one of the most iconic film robots in history - R2D2.

Tony Dyson, who has died aged 68 at his home in Malta, was an expert in robotics who built R2-D2 for the second Star Wars film, the Empire Strikes Back, in 1980.

Mr Dyson originally from Dewsbury, Yorkshire, moved to the market town with his parents Arthur and Ada in 1952.

Growing up in a house in First Field Place neighbour David Archer said he had fond memories of Mr Dyson and his parents throughout his childhood.

The 57-year-old said he remembered walking into Mr Dyson's home to find the loveable Star Wars character sitting in the living room.

He added: "Both of our dads worked for Abingdon borough council and I remember I came home on a Sunday and Tony's dad came out and said 'you'll be interested to see this'.

"Tony was about 28 or 30 and I was about 20 and we went into the front room there was R2D2. I was stunned because I had just seen the film.

"He was really enthusiastic about it. He had a toy company and he was really good at it.

"He made amazing rocking horses and robotics."

Mr Dyson started the White Horse Toy Company, based in Witney, when he realised his talent for making fibre-lass rocking horses.

It wasn't until 1980 when Brian Johnson, the man who won the contract to do the special effects in the Stars Wars sequel, phoned Mr Dyson to make a new robot.

Anyone who saw the first film - A New Hope - will remember the real scene stealer was a three foot, six inch walking tin can R2D2, a robot which actor Kenny Baker spent inside when filming.

Mr Dyson was challenged to make new bodywork for the robot, for Mr Baker and a remote-controlled one, which brought him to instant fame.

His models also featured in the James Bond adventure Moonraker.

Mr Archer, who now lives in North Leigh, said: "For the time the technology he was using was fascinating.

"Tony was a very bubbly and very creative person. He was very kind and generous to people. He was always trying to catch people's imaginations.

"I love Star Wars, when the new one came out in December last year I booked tickets months in advance.

"His mother and father were well known in the community and were very nice people."

The 68-year-old Briton was found by police after a neighbour called them, concerned his door was open on the island of Gozo on March 4.

He is thought to have died of natural causes. A post-mortem is being carried out to determine cause of death.