A DEVASTATED mother has told of her heartache after her healthy son died suddenly – on his 22nd birthday.

Tragic Paul Wilkins was in Pizza Hut in Bexleyheath Broadway, Bexley, with two friends to start the celebrations when he collapsed at the table.

Desperate friends and restaurant staff kept him alive with mouth-to-mouth but he died an hour after arriving at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup.

His family say they have no idea how Paul - a Bexley council CCTV operator and Special Police Constable - could have died.

Shocked mum Pam Oates, 42, said: "We are all just devastated. We wished him happy birthday, went out to work and didn't see him again.

"Going through his stuff, I've found lots of letters commending his work which he didn't ever tell me about. He loved his job."

And Paul's 13-year-old brother Mitch Oates said: "My brother was a legend. I loved him. As well as my brother, he was my best friend. He was caring and he always looked out for me."

Scores of floral tributes and messages have been left where Paul collapsed at about 3.30pm on January 11.

A Pizza Hut spokesman said: "We were deeply saddened to learn of Mr Wilkins' death. On behalf of all the staff at Pizza Hut we would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends at this very difficult time."

An inquest will be held into his death.

For the full story, interviews and pictures - see next week's Bexley Extra.