TRIBUTES were paid last night to a postman who died aged just 36 after having a heart attack.Peter Nichols lived and worked in Stowmarket where he was affectionately known as “Postman Pete”.

TRIBUTES were paid last night to a postman who died aged just 36 after having a heart attack.

Peter Nichols lived and worked in Stowmarket where he was affectionately known as “Postman Pete”.

Mr Nichols, who suffered from asthma, started having pain while out in his van and phoned for an ambulance, but his condition deteriorated and he died on Monday at Ipswich Hospital.

Janice Sebastiano, his mother, said: “He managed to call for an ambulance while still behind the wheel. The ambulance came within minutes but there was nothing anyone could do. We would like to thank the paramedics and hospital staff who tried their best to help.”

Ms Sebastiano said: “He was always adventurous. We would get a phone call at the last minute saying he had booked a holiday and was off on his travels. He had been everywhere and always brought a little piece of his journeys back home, by hanging souvenirs in the house.

“He didn't seem to be worried to travel alone and would make friends by going into a bar in another country by himself and chatting to the people.

“Even in England he had that mentality and would be the first on the dance floor and always singing karaoke. He loved people, nature and animals, that was just who he was.”

In 1997 he bought a house with his twin brother Philip, and the two have lived there ever since. Philip said: “We had similar personalities and have always got on well. We liked living together we both started working in a garden centre and then moved on to become postmen.”

Last night, a spokesman for the Royal Mail said: “We are all devastated by his death. Peter was well liked and had been at the Stowmarket office for about five years.

“He was taken into hospital after complaining of some pains, while out in his van. Our condolences go out to his family, at what is a very difficult time.''

Rev Michael Eden, priest at the town centre church of St Peter and St Mary's in Stowmarket, said Mr Nichols had been well known locally.

Mr Eden said: “His round is at my end of town and we would often pass each other in the street and say hello. Our prayers our with his family at this time.''

Mr Nichol's funeral service is being held at the West Suffolk Crematorium in Bury St Edmunds on Friday June 2, from 12.45pm.