TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular butcher after he died suddenly aged 44.

Matt Woods, of Halstead Road, Kirby Cross, passed away after suffering a heart attack last Wednesday morning.

The former Holland Park Primary and Clacton County High School pupil had run Chapman’s butchers at Frinton’s Triangle shopping centre for a number of years.

Mr Woods, who was born in Clacton on Christmas Day, 1970, went into butchery after leaving school, working at Malcolm’s Butchers in Holland-on-Sea and for the Co-op.

He then went on to work for Steve Chapman’s butchers at the Triangle before eventually buying the business.

Mr Woods was featured in the Gazette numerous times, scooping prizes for his pies and sausages.

His widow Andrea, said: “He was the most generous, kind and thoughtful man. He would do anything for anyone.

“He was always laughing and happy – he was larger than life and was the life and soul of the party.

“He loved football. All our children played football and he would support them on a Sunday.”

Mr Woods had also played football locally.

Andrea said he was well known in the community because of his job, which he loved.

Mr Woods leaves Andrea and five children, Sam, Tom, Grace, Jess and George.

A funeral service is set to take place at a later date.