CHIPPENHAM residents rallied round to remember a man who was found dead in the street last week.

Bouquets of flowers have been left on London Road, where Russell Nixon wad found with serious injuries last Wednesday, to remember the man who had battled mental health and alcohol problems.

Twenty friends and neighbours also paid respects to the 38-year-old, who lived in Derby Close, at a service at the Chippenham Christian Fellowship Church, which he visited on a regular basis, on Sunday.

Pastor Keith Wilson said: “Russell had been coming to us for about a year on and off and we also run a communal meal at the end of the month which he regularly attended.

“As a person, though he liked to have a good laugh and he was quite a personality, he was a troubled soul and that’s part of the reason why we were trying to help him.

"We had quite a few of Russell's friends arrive on Sunday, including one who cycled all the way from Corsham, and other people who knew him and it was very positive.

"Obviously it was a sad time as well but it was positive in that people came to honour him and his memory and we also prayed for his family, friends and for the people in the community.

"Whenever something like this happens, people need to talk and we are offering that. I spent a good part of my Friday talking to people in the town because it is such a shock when someone's life is so tragically cut short."

The 38-year-old, who was a "messy boy with a wide heart" according to one of the floral tributes, had lived in Chippenham on and off for some time, and is understood to have also lived in Derby.

An inquest into his death has not yet been opened by the Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner.

Matthew Chapman, aged 22, of Wood Lane, has been charged with his murder and has been remanded in custody to appear at Bristol Crown Court on October 6, with his trial starting on November 2.