Michael HuntTRIBUTES have been paid to builder Michael Hunt who died suddenly despite desperate attempts to save him by staff at Gaigers in Devizes and paramedics.

Mr Hunt, who lived in All Cannings with his wife, Sue, died of a heart attack. He was 57.

He collapsed in his car shortly after arriving at Gaiger Brothers' yard in Northgate Street, Devizes, just before 5pm on April 12.

A lorry driver at Gaigers went to Mr Hunt's aid. The driver got him out of his car and put him into the recovery position on the ground and summoned help from colleagues.

Two more staff came out along with director Michael Gaiger.

A paramedic on a motorcycle and two ambulances attended and they worked on Mr Hunt for over 30 minutes but with no success.

Mr Hunt's widow and their twin daughters Sarah and Sophy, 26, said his death was a shock because he had showed no signs of illness.

Sarah Hunt said: "Only the night before he died dad was running about on The Green in All Cannings with me and my sister's dogs."

Just before Christmas Mr Hunt was one of 85 people to lose their job at DR&B Holdings, a joinery firm in Chippenham, after the company's bosses called in administrators.

Mr Hunt was a site agent at the firm, which was founded in 1830 as Downing, Rudman and Bent, and had worked there for 38 years.

But within days of losing his job he was offered a position as contracts manager at Devizes firm Renelec and started with them in January.

Mr Hunt was a much loved family man and a popular resident of All Cannings. A former parish councillor, he was on the village hall committee and did numerous maintenance jobs at the hall and elsewhere in the village. At the former primary school site he put up all the shelves when the governors decided they wanted to have a library. He also built a stage for All Saints Church and for the millennium he planted numerous trees in the cemetery.

Tim Daw, chairman of All Cannings Parish Council, said: "Michael was a great asset to the village and his sudden death is a terrible shock. If there was an odd job to be done in the village he would go and do it."

His family have asked for any donations in memory of him to be given to Devizes Angling Association, with the intention of building platforms for disabled anglers. Donations to John Stuart funeral directors.

The funeral service is tomorrow at All Saints Church, All Cannings, at 3pm.