Friends, family and well-wishers gathered for an emotional night of music in Colchester yesterday to pay tribute to local man Nick Alexander, who was killed in the Paris terror attacks.

Held at Colchester Arts Centre, the ‘Peace, Love and Understanding’ event featured DJ sets from Mr Alexander’s close friends, including Matt Walsh, Sam Leppard and Sarah Wright, who paid tribute to his love for music.

Mr Alexander’s sister Zoe Alexander said: “Since putting on his first club night as part of the Young Enterprise scheme at school, the Arts Centre has been a prominent fixture in Nick’s Colchester social life. Music took Nick all over the world, and we’re delighted to be able to share some of his passion with his friends here where essentially it all started.

“We believe that music can be a shining light in a sometimes dark world, and we hope that tonight is about helping to spread that message of unity as well as having a good time and raising a toast in Nick’s memory.”

The arts centre held a special significance for the former Colchester resident, who often performed DJ sets during the Club Svelte nights held at the venue.

Arts centre director Anthony Roberts said: “He ran a club here for three years so it felt like the right thing to do.

“The night is sold out, friends and family are here and it’s a great atmosphere.”

Around 400 tickets for the event were sold, with all of the proceeds going towards a memorial for Mr Alexander.

The 36-year-old was killed last month in the Bataclan music venue in Paris, where he was selling merchandise for rock group the Eagles of Death Metal.