FAMILY and colleagues have this week paid tribute to a hard-working Bridgwater man who was found dead near his home three days after going missing.

Mervin Hurd, 49, is understood to have taken his own life after leaving his Load Lane home, in Westonzoyland, last Sunday morning.

He was found on the edge of the village on Tuesday afternoon following a full-scale manhunt involving police officers, a helicopter and concerned residents.

Mr Hurd, who was known to be depressed prior to his disappearance, was this week described as "a dedicated family man" who leaves behind his wife of 23 years Gill and 21-year-old son, Andrew.

Widow Mrs Hurd, 50, said: "He was a quiet and private person. He was a good husband and family man. He is going to be sadly missed by all his family."

After leaving school at 15, Mr Hurd went to work for at Hoopers Elm Farm, in Burrowbridge, where he stayed all his life and became a skilled tractor driver.

The farm's owner, Brian Oram, joined this week's manhunt on his four-wheeled motorbike before his employee's body was found in the evening.

Mr Oram said: "Mervin worked for the Oram family for 34 years. He was a professional and took great pride in his work.

"He really did enjoy his work. He was very particular to make sure the job was done to a very high standard.

"What he did for us and the way he did it will forever be appreciated. He will be sadly missed."

Mr Hurd disappeared at 9.30am last Sunday morning and police searched the area for two days before his body was found.

He left his home wearing a short green wax jacket with a grey jumper underneath and a burgundy shirt, plus brown corduroy trousers and green wellington boots.

Police press officer Dan Mountain said: "A large police operation was launched to find Mr Hurd and a body was found in Westonzoyland late on Tuesday afternoon.

"Positive identification has now been carried out on the body and it is Mr Hurd.

"We are certainly not treating the death as suspicious and it has been passed to the West Somerset Coroner."

You can post your own tribute to Mr Hurd on the form below.