TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known cafe owner after his suspected murder on Monday shook the community of Halfway House.

Satnam Singh Blugher - ‘Mr B’, as he was known by his friends and customers - was found in Tony’s Diner, which he has run for several years, on Monday afternoon.

A murder investigation was immediately launched by police, leading to an arrest just 24 hours later.

Floral tributes have been left at the diner, and some of those who knew the 67-year-old have shared their fond memories of him.

Kevan Nightingale, landlord of Halfway House Inn, said: “He would come into my pub almost every Monday evening, when the cafe was closed.

“He would come in with his workers, have a few pints and leave. Quite a few people from the pub knew him.

“He was always pleasant, and would buy drinks for his colleagues. They would try to buy him one back but they never could.

“He was a big football fan and he would always want me to put the football on in the pub if it wasn’t on already.”

Tributes have also poured in on social media from some of the popular diner’s customers, including Jason Taylor who said: “So sad. Such a lovely bloke. Always happy and chatty when I went in there to pick up a take-away.

“I was only talking to him on Friday. RIP Mr B and condolences to his family.”

West Mercia Police launched the murder investigation on Monday after paramedics were called to Tony’s Diner, on the A458 between Welshpool and Shrewsbury, at around 4.40pm. Inside, they found a man deceased with serious injuries to the head and torso.

Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy said: “At this time we are not sure what has happened and are trying to determine the man’s movements over the last few days.

“We are keen to speak to anyone that could have any information about the incident, or anyone who was in the area and saw anyone acting suspiciously.”

The victim was identified as a 67-year-old from Halfway House. His next of kin has been informed and a post mortem is due to take place.

On Tuesday, police announced a 65-year-old man from Shrewsbury had been arrested on suspicion of murder. Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in Tony’s Diner during the afternoon or evening of Sunday, June 25.

They also want to hear from anyone who was in the area on Sunday or Monday and saw anyone acting suspiciously.

If you have any information, contact West Mercia Police on 101 and quote incident 598s of June 26