EMOTIONAL tributes and bunches of flowers mark the spot where fun-loving father-of-four Paul Rodgers died from a single stab wound to the chest.

His grief-stricken family has been in mourning for the popular 32-year-old since news of his tragic death broke on Sunday the day before his 33rd birthday.

Paramedics and police officers were called to Broadcloth Lane, Trowbridge, in the early hours of Sunday morning, where they found Mr Rodgers' body on a pavement, lying in a pool of blood.

Detectives launched a full-scale investigation, charging 29-year-old Leigh Page, of Magnolia Rise, with murder on Monday.

Devastated brother Wayne, 29, said Mr Rodgers, a talented pool player, was a devoted and loyal father who idolised his four young children.

Speaking of their close relationship, Mr Rodgers said: "Paul to me was like Mr Invincible. I thought nothing could ever hurt him or get him down as he was so bubbly.

"We just want to know exactly what happened. I keep going over it in my mind.

"I want to know why he had to die.

"Paul is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about at night. I don't think anyone could have wished for a better brother."

Hearing about his brother's death while on a day out in Weymouth, Mr Rodgers said the past few days had been agony for his family.

He said: "One of Paul's sons ran down the stairs and said 'Uncle Wayne it's not true is it?'

"They keep asking if their dad has gone to heaven.

If I ring his mobile, I can still hear his voice on the answerphone but my brothers tell me I am only tormenting myself.

"You only have to look at the amount of flowers at the place where he died to know how popular he was."

Half-sister Margaret Joyce, 43, from Melksham, said she had been torn apart by the news.

She said: "He was so bubbly and the light of our life but now it's like someone has come along and switched the light out.

"Paul was an amazing dad who idolised his sons.

"His one aim was to make sure his boys got the best of everything, as he loved them so much. We are never going to forget him.

"I was absolutely devastated. There are no other words to describe how we feel. It has left a big gap in all our lives which nothing can fill."

Desmond Rodgers, 68, who lives with his partner, Nancy, in Berryfield Close, Melksham, said the loss of his talented son had left a community in tatters.

He said: "If Paul had two pence in his pocket and you needed it, he would give it to you, that's how kind-hearted he was. We have so many lovely memories of him.

"It is a disaster. It has been a terrible time for us. I have not been able to sleep at all since he died. It is an awful thing to have going through your mind.

"I never believed I would bury any of my children. It is a parent's worst nightmare."

Mr Rodgers, of Mead Court, North Bradley, was a well-known pool player in Melksham and Trowbridge. Representing England for two years he travelled across the country with Wayne collecting scores of trophies.

Mr Rodgers said: "When we used to play pool at The Forresters pub in Melksham, nobody wanted to play him because he won all the time."

Vicky Thompson, landlady of The Carpenters Arms in Trowbridge, said Mr Rodgers was a regular pool player at the Roundstone Street pub.

She said: "He was an excellent player. When I heard the news I was in a state of shock. It is very, very sad. We don't know what to say except it is a waste of a young life.

"He came in a few weeks ago and he looked happy and said things were going well, then this happens."

An ex-pupil of Aloeric Primary School and George Ward School in Melksham, Mr Rodgers first worked as a qualified chef at The Francis Hotel in Bath and then Rudloe Manor near Corsham.

Moving into sales he worked at the Wiltshire Times in 1995 and for Bath Newspapers in Trowbridge until three weeks ago.

Former work colleague Alex Elkins, of the Wiltshire Times, said she would never forget his smiles and lively personality.

She said: "He was just simply a really nice man. He was so happy all the time and there seemed to be no down side to him. I can't believe what has happened.

"He lived for his pool, he absolutely loved it."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. An inquest into Mr Rodgers' death will be opened and adjourned within the next week.