Tom 'Lanky' Langford, of Cheddon Fitzpaine, dies from cancer

Tom 'Lanky' Langford, 27, died suddenly at his family home in Cheddon Fitzpaine on June 27th after a brave fight against Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Melvyn Gale, of Taunton Cricket Club, where Tom was a fast bowler for several years winning players' player in 2016, said: "It's heartbreaking. Tom remained positive throughout his illness and kept coming to matches to score - he was at our game the Saturday before he died.

"He always gave everything and was always so helpful. We gave him as much support as we could."

Players wore black armbands at the club's various matches last weekend held a minute's silence and a tribute was made.

MINUTE'S SILENCE: Taunton A and Lydeard St Lawrence before Saturday's West Somerset League match

Many comments were posted on the club's twitter account.

His mother, Jane Langford, said: "What's happened is unimaginable But he went without suffering and we made some fabulous memories particularly during the last week with him. I'm holding on to that.

"He was the most loving, caring person, generous to a fault and didn't have a bad word to say about anybody - he loved being in the company of people and entertaining them spending hours preparing quizzes and games for family parties and barbeques.

"He was taken into so many people's hearts and thought of so much of by everyone he was involved with - in his work, activities, village life and most importantly his family.

"He had a full, good quality life apart from his illness and tried to make the most of every day - since his illness the family have taken him out whenever he’s felt well enough and visited so many beautiful places within a two-hour drive of his home - he loved being driven around and always wanted to avoid motorways and busy roads - across exmoor was his favourite ride.

"He loved his home, where he knew he was loved and cared for and spent hours gardening, growing lavender and cutting the grass endeavouring to get the perfect lawn."

Tom enjoyed friends of his own age but had an affinity for the company of people 20 plus years older - these are the people who helped nurture and care for him and we are so grateful to them for their support through his illness.

"He tolerated pain and the treatment really well and was hoping to get back to cricket scoring by the end of this season."

She added: "Tom's life was short, but looking back he did a lot he was always really positive about his future and had been planning the things he wanted to do when he recovered - we were very proud of him."

Tom, who was 6ft 4in, was born in Cheddon Fitzpaine and attended the former Beehive School, Queen's College Richard Huish College and SCAT, all in Taunton.

He was a sales assistant at Dunelm where in 2016 he won “employee of the year” voted by members of staff.

He enjoyed sport, especially cricket, table tennis, skiing, ten pin bowling, skittles, croquet walking and beating on shoots with his cocker spaniel Timmy.

He was passionate about the countryside and doing up an old tractor and plough to enter ploughing competitions, where he won first prize in his class at Bridgwater in 2016.

As well as his mother, he leaves his father, David, and older sister Sophie.

The family would like to thank all staff involved in his care particularly Ward 9 who were fantastic at making him feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible - he was treated as a VIP and felt the staff were his new friends.

Tom's funeral is on Wednesday, July 11, at 2pm at Cheddon Fitzpaine Church.