Tributes have been paid to one of Europe’s leading authorities on Oriental medicine, father-of-four Chris Jarmey, who has died from a heart condition, aged 53.

Mr Jarmey, a trained physiotherapist whose interest in Japanese and Chinese philosophy and healing began when he was in his teens, died at his home in Lockeridge on November 9.

He was a successful author of many books relating to oriental therapies including Shiatsu, qi gung, anatomy, meditation and traditional Chinese medicine.

In 1986 he founded the Shiatsu School of Natural Therapy in London, which was later renamed the European Shiatsu School.

In 1988 he moved with his wife Debbie, a physiotherapist, to East Kennett where they offered residential courses to students.

Later they moved to Lockeridge, to a house which they extended to continue running residential courses. Over the years Mr Jarmey expanded the school across Europe including to Spain and Greece.

Although they later divorced, the pair remained friends and were planning their first family holiday together since their marriage break up with their children, Luke, 18, Katie, 16, Max, 13, and Tom, nine.

Ms Simpson said her former husband had loved the Kennet Valley area from childhood because of its rich ancient history.

Apart from his love of his family, Mr Jarmey devoted his life to his studies and to passing on what he had learned to others. “It was his life’s work,” said Ms Simpson.

Family friend Jill Sudbury is a therapist at the Well Being Clinic in London Road, Marlborough, where Mr Jarmey taught. She said that everyone was saddened and shocked at his death.

She said: “Chris was a warm and talented person who had so much to offer. He had achieved an awful lot in his life and his work will live on through his teaching.”

Her words were echoed by another friend, George Dellar, of Winterbourne Monkton. He said: “I feel sad that the wealth of knowledge he possessed was lost the day he died, yet heartened to know so much was passed to his students and captured forever in the books he wrote. These at least are things that will live on.”