Friends and family were today mourning the loss of a "loving and caring" Colchester man who fell to his death in Thailand.

Experienced parachutist Neil Queminet, who lived in South Street, was preparing to go base jumping from a cliff when the tragedy happened.

A friend today paid tribute to Mr Queminet, saying he was a "truly lovely person" whose death had left friends devastated.

According to Thai police, the 38-year-old optician died of head injuries after falling about 100m from the cliff.

The fall is said to have happened as they tried to strap themselves into ropes for the final part of their climb.