By Juliette MaxamA FAMILY paid tribute last night to their “gentle giant” of a son who died in his sleep at the age of 26.John and Pam Carter found their son, Gareth, dead in his bed at their home in Dovercourt on Tuesday morning.

By Juliette Maxam

A FAMILY paid tribute last night to their “gentle giant” of a son who died in his sleep at the age of 26.

John and Pam Carter found their son, Gareth, dead in his bed at their home in Dovercourt on Tuesday morning.

Mr Carter said: “Gareth was a kind and gentle man who was loved by all who knew him. He will be sadly missed by his family, his devastated girlfriend, Kate, and his many friends and workmates.”

A post-mortem examination is due to be held either today or next week to determine the cause of the customs officer's death.

Gareth Carter, of Larksfield Crescent, went to Mayflower Primary and Harwich Schools, played youth football for Harwich and Parkeston and cricket for Harwich and Dovercourt Cricket Club.

He was also a loyal Ipswich Town fan, but died before the club's play-off match against West Ham.

Harwich and Dovercourt Cricket Club chairman, Mo Willis, said: “Gareth was a sportsman in every sense of the word. He loved his cricket and his team-mates loved him.

“He was a gentle giant whose kind and gentle nature won him many friends in every walk of life. Never one to shy from responsibility, he always led by example. Big G, as we called him, was in a league of his own.

“Harwich and Dovercourt Cricket Club will sorely miss our friend and our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.”

A minute's silence will be held before each of the club's three sides' matches at the weekend in respect for their team-mate.

A Customs and Excise spokesman said Gareth Carter had started his career in Harwich in June 1996, transferring to Ipswich two-and-a-half years ago.

“Gareth was part of a closely-knit team. All of his colleagues were deeply shocked and distressed to hear of his untimely death,” he added.

“He was a big man, a gentle giant, well-liked, always helpful, very committed to his work and a role model for those joining the job. We cannot believe that he has gone.”

Gareth Carter leaves his parents, girlfriend, Kate, and sisters Vanessa, Rosie and Fiona.

juliette.maxam@eadt.co.uk