AN outpouring of grief from people from all walks of life has followed the death of former Devizes Mayor Pete Smith.

Mr Smith, 67, died on Saturday evening after suffering a heart attack at the wheel of his Wiltshire Council van last Monday.

His family this week spoke of the amazing support they have felt from hundreds of people who have taken to social media to record their memories of the man who brought a touch of humour and common sense to everything he did. For many he was Mr Devizes.

A shrine has been set up close to where the accident happened in London Road complete with pom poms that Mr Smith used as part of his role in the fundraising group the Major Wrecks.

A poem dedicated to him has also been left on a bench close to the accident spot.

His wife Sonia, 67, of Waiblingen Way where her home is overflowing with condolence cards, said: "Everyone loved Pete. We have been overwhelmed by the response. He was the love of my life and never let me down."

At Devizes Town Council on Tuesday evening a two minute silence was held in his memory and then councillors spoke of their memories of the man who was twice mayor of the town and had the knack of being able to speak to people of all ages and all walks of life.

Deputy town clerk Simon Fisher remembered that during a visit from Princess Anne he engaged her in talk about shopping and they appeared to be old friends as they chatted going down the stairs of the town hall.

He said: "That was Pete. He had that wonderful way of just being himself. Other people might have been nervous but he was just Pete."

There is a now a clamour for the town to create a permanent memorial to Mr Smith. His daughter Nay Britton said a bench in Hillworth Park could be a fitting tribute.

She said: "He loved Hillworth Park and especially the events like Party In The Park."

Mr Smith, who worked as sewage operator for Wiltshire Council and was a founding member of Devizes Guardians, had been to the doctors on the morning of his accident after complaining of a tight chest. But it was thought to be an infection and he decided to go back to work as usual.

He was airlifted to Bristol Royal Infirmary and operated on and then put in an induced coma but on Friday his family was told his brain had suffered oxygen loss while he was unconscious and he could not survive. He died just after 8.30pm on Saturday.

Mrs Britton said: "He was such an amazing man and my hero." These words were echoed by her brother Luke who said: "He was an inspiration to us all."

Mr Smith also left sons Shane and Matthew and nine grandchildren. His funeral will be at 3pm on September 2 at St John's Church. People are asked to wear purple.