Family and friends have paid tribute to young farmer Alan Whitcombe, who has died suddenly at the age of 20 from an undetected heart condition.

Oaksey Church was packed with mourners last week for the funeral of Mr Whitcombe, of Ashton Road, Upper Minety, who worked on the family farm in the village.

Many tributes have been paid to the popular farmer, known for always having a smile on his face and their words have brought some comfort to his parents, Heather and Martin.

They said in a statement: “We are very grateful for everyone’s kind words, cards, flowers and sympathies at this difficult time.”

Ambulance crews battled to save his life after he collapsed at about 6pm on June 25 at Hankerton, near Minety, but despite their best efforts, he was declared dead at 7pm.

Paying tribute to his former student, Malmesbury School headteacher Tim Gilson said: “Alan was a lovely quiet and polite young man; he had a great group of friends at school.

“Alan really enjoyed working with his hands and he did really well in design and technology, and building and construction.

“He always wanted to work in agriculture. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”

Mr Whitcombe was a member of the Malmesbury Young Farmers’ Club and often attended social gatherings among the senior groups.

His cousin Tom Clark, who is chairman of the Malmesbury branch of the Young Farmers’ Club, spoke of the shock of his cousin’s death.

“Alan was always smiling and always happy,” he said.

“He was a ‘friendly’ member of the club; he liked the social side. He never missed a party.

“Alan wanted to carry on working at the family farm. He loved farming.

“The rest of the family are doing as well as can be expected. It was a shock for everyone; a very big shock.”

Vanessa Collins, county president of the Wiltshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, said: “Alan always had a smile on his face and he lived for his farming.

“A lot of us have heard the sad news; it doesn’t take long for anything to get through the farming world.”

Mr Whitcombe had planned to continue working at his family farm in Minety where he grew up and attended the village primary school.

Heather Pilcher, who was a lunchtime supervisor and parent helper during Mr Whitcombe’s primary school years at Minety School, Sawyers Hill, said: “Alan was a lovely, lovely boy. He was quiet, very helpful and a joy to be near.

“I knew him in a general role; I wasn’t associated with his class but I knew the family quite well.

“He was working on his family farm and was known for helping all his neighbours.

“He was a genuine delight to be around.”

Friends and family, including Mr Whitcombe’s sister Jane, have taken to Facebook to pay their tributes.

His friend, Ben Parfitt, said: “He was a really genuine guy who you couldn’t dislike and it’s a tragedy he passed away so young.”