Long-serving and popular chef at the White Lion in Wilton, Brian Perks, was found dead in his Ross home last Wednesday.

When Brian failed to turn up for his shift his friend Alan Wood tried calling him on the telephone several times. When Alan returned home his wife Tina, who works at the White Lion called to say Brian had still not arrived for work and this was so out of character Alan decided to call at his home.

When he arrived there was no answer and so Alan called the police.

He was extremely distressed to discover that Brian had already died. Alan made the formal identification and said that it appeared to be natural causes but an inquest will be opened as a matter of course.

The funeral will take place on Friday, at St Mary's Church in Ross at 12 noon and then Brian's friends and family will meet at the King's Head.

Alan was particularly distressed as he discovered Brian's body on his birthday which was also Brian's birthday. He said that they had got to know each other when Brian used to chat to him when he was filming wildlife.

He added that Brian was extremely popular and he was sure that many of his friends would pay their respects at the funeral.