Heartfelt tributes have been made to Deal chef Duncan Pitman, who died suddenly in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday).

Police officers and an ambulance attended Grange Road, Deal, at 6.55am after receiving a report of a sudden death.

It is believed the former Walmer School pupil, 35, died in his sleep.

Friends have paid tribute to the sous chef on social networking site Facebook.

Amy Lou said: "In the early hours on Thursday morning you were sadly taken from us.

"Such a shame. Doesn't quite feel real. Gone but never forgotten.

"Shine bright up there.

"Always in our heart. RIP Pitman."

Mr Pitman was a former employee at Dover Marina Hotel & Spa, where he had worked as a sous chef.

Trevor Bond, marketing manager, said: "Duncan worked with us for a few months not long after we re-opened in March 2011.

"He left in August 2011.

"Our thoughts are with his family."

On Mr Pittman's public Facebook page, another friend Ben Barker said: "Have some good memories of you!

"Hopefully you are already playing golf up there bro. RIP mate."

A Kent police spokesman said: "We are not treating the death as suspicious."

His death has been reported to the coroner.