MOURNERS are expected to pack St Nicholas Church in North Bradley for popular Trowbridge man Fred Gardner who died suddenly on Saturday, September 7, aged 50.

Mr Gardner owned Gardner's Skip Hire in Trowbridge and was a scrap metal dealer.

His daughter Carla said most people in Trowbridge knew who he was because of his friendly nature.

She said: "He was a well-known and respected businessman. Nothing was too much for him and he was always putting himself out."

Mr Gardner was born on June 7 1952 and after leaving Nelson Haden School he started working for his dad, Theodore, when he was 15. When his dad died he took over the company and built up a successful skip hire business.

Just three weeks ago, Mr Gardner stayed with his daughter while she was giving birth and was overjoyed with his first granddaughter, Sophie.

Miss Gardner said: "He was over the moon and was looking forward to spending time with her."

Although a life-long workaholic, Mr Gardner enjoyed a game of darts and played for the Rising Sun pub in North Bradley, winning many trophies while playing in the Trowbridge League.

His sudden death from a heart attack shocked everyone he knew, and many people want to pay their last respects next Tuesday at 12.30pm.

Miss Gardner said: "It was so sudden. He was not ill and I couldn't believe it. My brother and I and my mum Valerie will miss him so much as he was a wonderful man."

Terry Shanley, who owns EJ Shanley and Sons Ltd in Trowbridge, was a close friend of Mr Gardner's for 40 years.

He said: "He was such a genuine man and there are not many of them about. He knew everybody and spoke to everybody. I've got so many good memories of him and his death came as an enormous shock to me."

Mr Gardner leaves three brothers and three sisters, daughter Carla, son Calum and granddaughter Sophie.