A FLORAL tribute to a guitarist from Bury St Edmunds who was found dead at his home has been removed from a prominent town site by a council.

Friends of Chris Langeland, who died last month, said the guitar-shaped wreath was placed by the St Edmunds statue on the Risbygate Street roundabout, shortly after the 22-year-old’s wake on Tuesday.

The tribute, which was paid for by family and friends, was at the site for a number of days, before disappearing later this week.

Chloe Pattenden, 24, of Northumberland Avenue, Bury, said she had grown up with Chris and her brother played in his band, called Thee Vicars.

She said: “The wreath was paid for by the family and friends and laid at the statue after the wake. I noticed yesterday that it had gone and wondered who made the decision to remove it.

“There are lots of flowers left by the roadside, so what’s the difference?”

A spokeswoman for St Edmundsbury Borough Council said the tribute had been moved, but could still be recovered by its owners.

She added: “We removed the wreath because there was no indication about who the tribute was to and it was in an inappropriate place.

“We have kept it watered and looked after it because we expected someone to claim it.

“They are welcome to call us on Monday on 01284 757320 to arrange to pick it up and we may be able to work with them to find a more suitable location.”

Mr Langeland was a well-known face in the town and played with several Bury St Edmunds-based bands including Thee Vicars and Generation of Swine.

He was described by bandmates as “the most gifted musician” who could play almost any instrument he picked up.

His body was discovered on July 26 at an address in Poole Road, Hackney, London.