PLYMOUTH'S very own Private Eye has died, aged 79.

Kennard (Ken) John Westlake established The Westlake Detective Agency in North Hill, in 1963, where he ran his business for almost 40 years.

Mr Westlake was born in 1932 at Trispen, Truro. He moved to Redruth in 1940 and attended Redruth Grammar School. At the age of 16 he became the school's Victor Ludorum.

Aged 17 in the year 1949 he was selected to play on the wing for Redruth Chiefs. Rugby and Athletics were his passion. He entered the RAF for his National Service in August 1950 at Padgate, Warrington and qualified as a PTI.

On leaving the RAF he joined Plymouth City Police in October 1952. After six years he was offered a place in the local CID as a trainee detective, undertaking his training at Hendon.

In the 1960s he set up his own business the Westlake Detective Agency. Always the workaholic he was appointed the prestigious Sheriff's Officer for Mid Cornwall and became a Certificated Bailiff before moving to Truro in 2002 aged 69.

Not content with retiring he took up the role of a part time taxi driver until ill health suddenly took hold 12 months ago. He was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive prostate cancer in December 2011 and passed away on January 24 this year.

Ken was a keen sailor and a volunteer member of the Plymouth Lifeboat crew from 1970 to 1977.

A service for Ken will be held at Kenwyn Parish Church, Truro at 1.30pm on Friday February 17.