THE heartbroken family of a young man who died suddenly on New Year's Eve have issued a statement following the "upsetting and traumatic" incident.

The body of Kyle Hudson, 28, was found outside his home in Darby Way, Bishops Lydeard, where he lived with his grandparents, at around 10.20am on the final day of 2017.

The cause of death has not yet been established and an inquest will be held at a later date.

The family statement said: "Kyle’s family are totally stunned and heartbroken by the sudden and as yet unexplained death of Kyle on New Year's Eve 2017.

"We would like to thank the emergency services for the rapid response and professionalism shown on that fateful day.

"We would also like to thank all those who have sent messages of sympathy and compassion at this difficult time.

"The last few weeks have been very upsetting and traumatic for Kyle's family and so they would like to have some time to grieve privately."

The County Gazette reported last week how Kyle's half sister, Emily Henighan, 22, met him for the first time after tracking him down on Facebook four years ago.

They met up regularly after that and Kyle, who was educated at Kingsmead Community School and had recently started work in a motor business in Taunton after several years as a van driver with Bishops Lydeard-based West Somerset Feeds, texted Emily every day.

Kyle’s funeral service will be held on Thursday next week (January 25) at St Mary’s Church, Bishops Lydeard, at 110am.

Any enquiries regarding the service can be made by contacting Quantock Funeral Services, 69 Staplegrove Road, Taunton, or call 01823-277938.