FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a "kind and gentle" bell-ringer who died last week.

Robert Havard, 39, of Arley Lane, Shatterford, took his own life on Sunday, October 6, after suffering a short bout of depression.

The ex-Wolverley High School pupil was an active member of St Mary's Church, Kidderminster, and campaigned tirelessly to raise £135,000 for new bells.

He worked as a full-time carer for his mother, Edith, and helped other elderly people.

Mr Havard, who had worked as a bricklayer, travelled the country as a top-class bell-ringer.

His sister, Christine Wassell, said: "Bob was a kind and gentle man who did everything for mom.

"He was well-liked and very much respected by fellow bell-ringers. His death has come as a terrible shock and he will be sadly missed."

Team rector at St Mary's, Canon Owain Bell, said: "His fellow bell-ringers regarded him as one of the finest in North Worcestershire.

"He had a tremendous reputation for his commitment to bell-ringing. He was totally reliable and never let anyone down - and he was always willing to go that extra mile."

Mr Bell added: "My sadness is thinking that no-one worked harder on our project to replace the 12 bells.

"He was instrumental in us going for the big one. I am sad he won't be there to see the bells cast and dedicated but we will think of some way of commemorating him in it."

His mother, Edith, commented on how much the bell-ringing meant to her son, who also leaves behind a brother, David.

She said: "He had done it for years, and he was so brilliant at it.

"He was committed to raising the thousands of pounds needed for the new bells."

Mr Havard was pronounced dead at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on October 6. He was found by his mother in his bath and paramedics discovered he had stab wounds, cut wrists and a cut throat. An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Mr Havard's funeral will be held at St Mary's Church at 2.30pm today. The family has asked for donations instead of flowers for St Mary's Bell Appeal via Mr Bell on 01562 823265.