The lovable Croydon window cleaner who was still working at the age of 94 – My London

Emotional tributes have been paid to a lovable Croydon man, believed to be the UK's oldest window cleaner, who has died.

Walter Cruse, who lived in West Croydon most of his life, was still cleaning windows at the age of 94 - only stopping months before his death.

He was known to go out on jobs all over the borough, no area was off limits for Walter to go and make sure the windows were sparkling clean.

Walter, known as Walt or Wally Cruse, lived with wife Rose and had two sons, Lester and Roy.

He became ill earlier this year and sadly his condition deteriorated throughout the summer and he died on August 7.

Speaking about his dad's remarkable work ethic, his son Lester told MyLondon: "He was still working at 94, and even his customers told him they felt he was too old!

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"He carried on cleaning windows despite his age, and he wouldn't give up.

"He was a hard working man who saw a purpose in what he was doing and just enjoyed working. Apart from the social side of the job, he believed it kept him fit and active, and responsible for him reaching his ripe old age.

"In the end he was told by his customers quite nicely that they felt he should be retiring. But he carried on and was still working within months of passing away.

"I can't imagine any other window cleaner working at his age. We believe he was the oldest in the UK.

"He was his own boss and he had a good work ethic. He was a man of good principles and he taught us well"."

Walt bravely fought in Burma during the Second World War, and his experiences became the subject of many stories, but it was his passion as a window cleaner after the war that had the most impact on his life.

Walt was also proud of his famous shed, which is where he kept his DIY materials and tools.

He didnt throw much away as 'it would always come in handy one day', according to Lester.

When clearing out the shed after repairing a fence, Lester found an old ladder which had broken in half but had been repaired and most probably used.

"We couldnt believe the dangerous condition this ladder was in," he said. "But still he kept it just in case".

Walt refused to get rid of an old black and white TV set many years back, and Rose, keen to get a new colour TV, took the back off and snipped a few wires, thinking that would do the trick.

Instead of ditching the TV Walt called a repair company and Rose's antics were exposed when the repair man said: "Youre having a laugh aren't you!"

Walt never did see the funny side of that, but we did," said Lester.

Lester, 69, who lives in Cornwall, said: "He was a very likeable person and loved to tell stories of various amusing aspects of his life.

"My parents lived simple but enjoyable lives together, with much of it being centred around family. He liked going to the pub and playing darts with friends and quite enjoyed a spot of fishing.

"We were very well looked after as kids. We always had clothes, food and holidays growing up, and we lived close to my mum's family as there were 11 children in her family.

"Walt was really 'one of the boys' and he lived most of his life as part of the Cuff family [Rose's relatives], sharing the good times and the bad."

During the latter part of his life Walt beat bowel cancer and lung cancer, but his condition deteriorated in his final months and he ended up being admitted to hospital.

He sadly died of pneumonia on August 7, although it's believed cancer had returned and had spread to his liver.

"He had a good innings," Lester added.

He was a legend and will be missed very much.

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The lovable Croydon window cleaner who was still working at the age of 94 - My London