Tributes have been paid to Chippenham student Lance Cleverley, who was found dead in Monkton Park, Chippenham, last Friday.

Mr Cleverley, 25, from Chippenham, was well known in the town and in Corsham, where he grew up.

Friend Richard Whalley said: “I knew him for seven years and he was a very good friend of mine.

“His favourite thing was staying up late and putting the world to rights.

“He had a good sense of humour and was really interested in politics and sociology.

“He was very intelligent and loved going back into education. We will all miss him so much.”

Mr Cleverley was studying on an access to higher education course at Wiltshire College Chippenham and was planning to go to university in Oxford later this year.

He worked behind the bar in the Two Pigs pub in Corsham and was a well-liked member of staff.

College friend Lucy Murray said: “Lance was the funniest, most gentleman-like bloke I have ever met.

“He was one of the first people to talk to me on the first days of college and I feel privileged to have had the chance to know him.”

It is thought his funeral will be held next week but as yet no arrangements have been finalised.