A "local lad made good" made the best of low budgets to produce some of the classic horror films of the 1960s and 70s.

Hammer Films producer Roy Skeggs was born in Shenley in 1934 and died last month at the age of 83.

Some of the films and television shows Mr Skeggs was involved in were Zulu, Love thy Neighbour and On the Buses.

He began his connection with Hammer in 1963 as production accountant, becoming production supervisor in 1970 and taking the reins of the company in 1979.

He later became chairman of Hammer Films and was responsible for legendary actor Peter Cushing's return to the company with the television series, Hammer House of Horror in 1980.

Paul Welsh, an Elstree Studios historian who knew Mr Skeggs, said: “I knew Roy for over 40 years while he was based at Elstree Studios and it was always a pleasure to meet him.

“Roy had a laid-back style and enjoyed a drink and was very successful in coping with the low budgets presented to him by Hammer.

“He was a local lad made good.”

Illness took Mr Skeggs away from Hammer in the 1990s but in the last few years he would go to conventions and signing days to fans.

Mr Skeggs' funeral will be held on January 28 in Garston.