Tributes have been paid to a “workaholic” father who was known to many as a hardworking milkman.

Valji Halai, known as ‘Val’, died of coronavirus on January 20 at the Royal Bolton Hospital aged 60.

Valji, an active member of the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, in Adelaide Street, ran shops and construction firms around Bolton and Wigan.

But he was best known to many in Bolton as a milkman.

Born in India, he moved to Kenya before settling in Bolton and attending Hayward Secondary (now Essa Academy).

His son, Mitesh Halai, described his father as a ‘workaholic’, continuing to support him and his two siblings in running their shops, even while in hospital with coronavirus.

He said: “He started off as a milkman delivering all over the place before setting up a shop in Little Hulton while still doing his rounds.

“He sold this in 1997 and set up construction businesses. When we set up our shops in Wigan he helped us and was helping us all the way to the end.

The Bolton News: Valji Halai with his familyValji Halai with his family

“In his first week in hospital before being put on the ventilator he was still messaging us all a lot saying if we’d sorted everything out and what we should be doing. He worked seven days a week, long days, we had to force him to take breaks sometimes.

“There were times when he would his milk rounds, then do building work, and then work at the shop in the same day.

“He taught us to always work hard and that’s how you get the best out of life which is why me and my siblings set up our shops. Every decision was still made through him and he was always there for us when we needed him.”

Valji’s eighth grandchild, Krishiv, was born just three months ago,and the two had already bonded.

Mitesh said Krishiv could not sleep unless Valji had come home from work and would cry if he came home late. A funeral is being held for Valji today in Atherton.

Mitesh added: “We are only allowed 30 at the funeral but I’m sure hundreds would have come otherwise."

The family has been inundated with condolence messages since the death of Val, who was well-known in the Hindu community.