HARE KRISHNA friends of ex-Beatle George Harrison expressed their sadness this week at the news of the musician's death from cancer.

Members of the movement at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Letchmore Heath on Wednesday paid tribute to Mr Harrison, who maintained strong links with the Krishna friends he made in the 1960's when he first discovered the faith.

When they asked for his help after their London temple became overcrowded, he donated Bhaktivedanta Manor to the movement.

A spokesman for the manor and a member since 1974, Kripamaya Das, explained that Mr Harrison had purchased the manor in 1973 without even looking at it.

He said: "George's personal legacy is the work that has gone on here at Bhaktivedanta Manor that has allowed many people to learn about Hare Krishna."

"His death is a tragic loss to us. We are all very saddened and shocked.

"Three days ago we were requested by one of George's Krishna friends in America to pray for him. We knew that something was coming but it's still greatly shocking when someone you know departs like this."

Among their work and Mr Harrison's legacy is the free food distributed in London every night, the 15,000 children who come to the temple every year as part of their religious studies and the festivals celebrated the biggest outside India.

Mr Harrison visited the temple five times and met with Hertsmere councillor Frank Ward, his daughter, Watford MP Claire Ward, then Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, and his wife Councillor Cathie Ward. Mr Harrison's last visit was three years ago.

Councillor Frank Ward remembered him as a committed follower of the Krishna movement.

He said: "I met George about seven years ago because of my involvement in the temple defence movement. I found him a very easy person to speak to. He said to me I sounded like Billy Connolly and I said that's a damn cheek, I speak English."

Miss Ward met him five years ago at a private dinner at the manor.

She said: "He struck me as a very down to earth kind of person with a very good sense of humour, clearly very talented and also a very strong believer in the faith, which he practised in his everyday life.

"Of course he was a fantastic musician. I think it's very sad to see somebody of such talent die prematurely."