The family of popular Devizes builder Paul Whitbread have spoken of their shock and grief after his body was found at a house in Urchfont on Saturday.

His mother, Christine, who lives in Sheep Street, said: “So many people have spoken to me about Paul. Only this morning at the doctors’ surgery two men came up and said how sorry they were to hear about him.

“He was a happy-go-lucky boy and he always looked for the best in people. We are going to miss him so much.”

Police were called to the house on The Green in Urchfont shortly before 2pm.

The Wiltshire air ambulance was summoned but Mr Whitbread was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wiltshire Coroner David Ridley has been informed and an inquest is due to be opened later today or tomorrow.

No cause of death has been given but indications suggest 48-year-old Mr Whitbread may have taken his life.

Mystery surrounds why Mr Whitbread, of Roseland Avenue, Devizes, was at the house, the home of Brian Roberts-Phare, the owner of Bikes’n’Boards shop in Devizes, and his wife Linda.

Mr Roberts-Phare said Mr Whitbread had not been staying at the house but had called there on Saturday.

He said: “I’ve known him for about two years. He did some work on the house and at the shop.”

Mr Whitbread’s family yesterday released a statement. It said: “He was a lovely character who lived for the moment and always looked for the best in people. He was always on the go and liked to help everybody out.

“He was hardworking, happy-go-lucky and very family oriented. He will be missed by us all.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.

Mr Whitbread was born at Devizes maternity hospital, a twin whose brother died at birth. He was educated at Southbroom School and was a member of the Army Cadet Unit and Territorial Army platoon.

He was a well-known local builder and worked on many commercial and domestic projects in the area. He leaves a wife, Karen, and twin teenage daughters.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances behind the death.