Tributes have been paid to a longstanding and well-respected Merseytravel worker who has died with coronavirus.
Keith Jessop, known affectionately as "Jess", died about 10 days ago after battling Covid-19.
He worked for Merseytravel for almost 20 years and was stationed at the organisation's headquarters at Liverpool ONE bus station.
Before that, the rock music lover was employed at Queen Square.
Mr Jessop was married and had children.
Shocked colleagues have left countless messages of condolence and spoken with fondness of their time working with a man who they said "cracked bad jokes."
He was one of Merseytravel's trained first-aiders, who knew how to operate a defibrillator, and had previously been tasked with presenting the organisations' awards night.
Mr Jessop also raised smiles with his use of "Roger that" phrases when using the radio system, and used to hand out sweets and chocolates to colleagues, pals recalled.
One close friend said: "A great man and a big big loss for us all at Merseytravel.
"...he wouldn’t want us to be sad, he’d want us all to laugh and be happy.
"So rock on Jess up there, mate.
"It’s Roger over and out."
Other workmates had similar memories.
One said: "He never had a bad bone in his body.
"Loved by us all, things will never be the same again, whenever I knew he was on with me I knew I'd be fine.
"I get nervous in some bus stations, but he always put me at ease.
"I will miss him and his jokes."
Another said: "I'm so shocked to hear this sad news.
"Keith took me under his wing and showed me where and where not to go in town in 1982.
"He was a good friend to me.
"My thoughts go to his family, wife and sons."
A Merseytravel spokesman said: "We can confirm that a member of our team, Keith Jessop - known to many as Jess - has died of coronavirus.
"We are all shocked and saddened by the news of his passing.
“Jess was a popular and well-respected colleague who had been part of the Merseytravel team for almost 20 years.
"He had recently been based at Liverpool ONE bus station but had also worked for some time at Queen Square.
"Our thoughts are with his family and we respect their wish for privacy at this very difficult time.
"Such sad news is a reminder to us all of the seriousness of the situation we face.”
