The daughter of a Hersham rock legend has paid a touching tribute following her father’s death over the weekend.

Lead guitarist and founding member of punk rock band Sham 69, Neil Harris, died on Sunday, January 28 aged 63, after a long battle with cancer.

Neil’s daughter, Lisa Francis, said he was an amazing man.

“My father raised me on his own after my mother passed away when I was 16 months old, he raised me in a time where it was not common for a man to raise a little girl on his own but he did,” she said.

“He showed me love, kindness, strength and courage and I see all of these qualities in his grandchildren too.

“We had many amazing memories together and I am so proud of the fight he put up against the dreaded cancer.

“I am so proud of the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.

“My life will not be the same without him but I promise to keep his memory alive.

“Sleep in eternal peace my amazing dad.”

Formed in the mid-1970s, Sham 69 went on to produce five top 20 singles over its career, despite several line-up changes and breakups, one of which saw Harris leave the band less than five years after its formation.

This didn’t stop the band from issuing a loving statement about the man they called friend.

“It is with great sadness that we have to announce, that founder and guitarist of Sham 69, Neil Harris has passed away,” the statement said.

“Neil, who rejoined the band in 2011 sadly passed away in his sleep, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Neil had been bravely fighting Cancer for several months and though his fight was continuous, he sadly lost this

battle.”