HELENSBURGH’S Buddhist meditation centre has held a ceremony in honour of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the late owner of Leicester City FC, who was a major backer of the town facility.

The Thai businessman, who was 61, was one of five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside the football club’s King Power Stadium on Saturday, October 27.

He provided significant backing for the Buddhist Meditation Centre of Scotland to open in the former Park Church on the junction of East King Street and Charlotte Street.

A statement on the temple’s Facebook page sent its condolences to Mr Vichai’s family and confirmed that he sponsored the facility.

Phra Kajonpong Nino Seeharat, of the Meditation Centre, told the Advertiser: “He was a sponsor and he was very important to us.

“We are very sad that he has died and we held a ceremony in his honour.

“He was a very busy man but he was a support for our temple.”

The online post added: “We deepest condolences, Krun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who was passed away and had supported our temple.”

The Meditation Centre opened in January 2016, with the Park Church closing the previous year, and became the first Scottish outpost of the Dhammakaya tradition of Thai Buddhism.

Its meditation classes began in May of that year and within weeks were attracting more than 50 local residents.

Mr Vichai purchased Leicester City in 2010 and became chairman a year later.

His time there is best remembered for the club’s stunning success in winning the English Premier League title in season 2015/16.

He had been attending the club’s fixture at home to West Ham United before his helicopter took off from the pitch afterwards.

It crashed in the car park at the stadium, killing all five people on board, the others being the pilot, his partner, and two members of Mr Vichai’s staff.

His funeral took place in Bangkok last week, with the Leicester City squad flying out to attend. Tributes were also paid by clubs all over the UK and abroad.

Councillor Ellen Morton, chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, said: “The Meditation Centre is a lovely facility to have in the town.

“They have been kind enough to invite me and other councillors to a few functions, which I have attended.

“There is a lovely atmosphere inside and they serve lovely food as well.”