THE brother-in-law of 37-year-old refuse collector, Chris Jefferies, who died of a massive brain haemorrhage on Friday, has told how the whole family is numb with grief.

Mr Jefferies, who lived with his wife Sally, 39, and daughter Louise, 13, in Braemor Road, Calne, was taken ill on Friday evening and died at Great Western Hospital in Swindon on Sunday.

An employee of North Wiltshire District Council for the last 17 years, Mr Jefferies grew up in Ashe Crescent, Chippenham, and attended the town's Boys School, before following his late father, Victor, into the refuse collection business.

Based at the Parsonage Way depot in Chippenham, Mr Jefferies worked as a refuse collection loader. He worked alongside his brother-in-law, driver Ian Lawrence, 50, for eight years on the Corsham round.

"It has just been a terrible shock," said Mr Lawrence.

"There was absolutely no indication that anything was wrong with Chris.

"We had worked together as normal that day and he was off to buy some fencing to help a neighbour out that evening.

"He was always doing things to help people out and regularly mowed the lawns of old people where he lived.

"His wife, daughter, and his mother are absolutely devastated.

"No-one expects someone to die like that at such a young age and his mum cannot come to terms with the fact she has outlived her son."

Mr Lawrence described his brother-in-law as a loving family man and keen DIY enthusiast and gardener.

"Poignantly, Chris had been shopping with his daughter last weekend and picked out a shirt for her to buy him for Father's Day," he said.

"The family have decided that Chris will be buried in that shirt."

He continued: "Chris was always building things. He loved his garden pond, which he filled with Koi carp.

"He was also half-way through building a lovely big workshop on the side of his house.

"He always said that he wanted to retire at 50 and just spend time making things for people.

"But he also loved his job and always chatted to people while we were out on the round. In fact, people who have heard about his death have been coming up to us and offering to put money in his collection he was so well liked."

Mr Lawrence also revealed that the family had decided to donate organs from Chris's body.

"He was a young, fit man and his mum, Janet, said that it would be good to know that his death had helped someone else, because he liked helping people so much when he was alive," said Mr Lawrence.

Mr Jefferies' funeral will be held at West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington on Monday at 3.30pm.

"The family requested that the funeral be later in the day so that as many of his workmates could come as possible," said Mr Lawrence.

"All the money collected for Chris will then be donated to the Friends of Chippenham Hospital in his memory."

Colleagues at North Wiltshire District Council have also been devastated by Mr Jefferies' death.

His manager, Melanie Scott, cleansing and amenities team leader, said: "Chris has been a very hard working and conscientious refuse loader with us since 1986.

"He was always happy and outgoing and had time and a smile for everyone.

"I am sure that he will be missed by the residents of Corsham.

"I know they are grateful for the effort and hard work that the Corsham team puts into the area.

"Chris will certainly be missed by his work colleagues and our thoughts are with his family at this very sad and difficult time."

Council chairman Dianne Moore agreed: "Everyone at North Wiltshire District Council is deeply shocked by Chris's death." she said.

"He had worked for the council for many years, and his death has been a devastating blow to his colleagues and friends.

"Everyone here extends their deepest sympathy to Chris's family and our thoughts are with them at this sad time."

Council leader Ruth Coleman said: "This is extremely tragic news and on behalf of everyone at North Wiltshire District Council we would like to pass on our deepest sympathy and condolences to Chris's family."

As a mark of respect following Mr Jefferies death, the council did not operate the Corsham round on Monday.

A spokesman said: "We do apologise to residents in the Corsham area for the disruption to the service.

"We hope that they will understand and bear with us."