THE family of 37-year-old refuse collector Chris Jefferies, who died suddenly in June from a brain haemorrhage, has dedicated a bench to his memory at John Coles Park.

Mr Jefferies grew up in Ashe Crescent, in Chippenham, and worked as a refuse loader for North Wiltshire District Council for 17 years.

His widow Sally, 39, and 14-year-old daughter Louise decided to dedicate the bench in his honour because he loved to play in the park as a boy.

Her husband's workmates at Parsonage Way depot raised nearly £400 for the bench, which was positioned in a peaceful spot at the top of the park, near the bandstand.

Family, friends and colleagues gathered in the park on Friday afternoon to remember Mr Jefferies and dedicate the bench.

The simple plaque read 'In memory of Chris Jefferies, from his friends and workmates at North Wiltshire District Council'.

Mrs Jefferies, of Braemore Road, in Calne, said: "It was very hard for us when he died. But you have to get on with your life and we look forward to remembering the good times.

"It's such a nice park, we come here quite a lot. My husband and I used to bring Louise here when she was little, and if we are feeling low we come here and think about the good things."

Mr Jefferies worked in a three-man crew on the Corsham round with his brother-in-law Ian Lawrence, 50, of Broadmead, in Corsham, and Bob Broom, 52, from Kingston St Michael, for five years.

His brother-in-law said Mr Jefferies was a very popular man who was very friendly and was always chatting to people on his round.

Mr Lawrence said the depot was devastated by the death of Mr Jefferies and almost all of the money for the bench was raised within a week.

He said donations from the public flooded in when news of the popular bin man's death broke and £1,500 was raised, which will be donated to the Friends of Chippenham Hospital, who will use the cash to buy a heart monitor for the accident and emergency unit at Chippenham Community Hospital.

Mrs Jefferies, said: "We were very moved by the public's generosity and I think Chris would have approved of us putting a bench here for him.

"It was really nice that people thought so much of him. He was very sociable and was always doing things for people, especially helping out with garden jobs. We will always miss him."

Mr Lawrence, said: "It was a real loss to the community. You don't realise how much people look out for the crews as they do their rounds until someone's gone. You can't describe what it means in words."

Mr Jefferies was taken ill on the evening on Friday June 6 and died at Great Western Hospital, in Swindon two days later. As a mark of respect, following the death of Mr Jefferies, the district council did not operate the Corsham round on Monday June 9.

The bin man went to Chippenham Boy's School before following his late father Victor into the refuse collection business.

Mr Lawrence described his brother-in-law as a loving family man.