TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular homeless man well known on the streets of Taunton who has died.

Paul William Bradley, 52, known by everyone as Brad, died in the town's Musgrove Park Hospital yesterday (Wednesday).

He is believed to have suffered a massive heart attack last Thursday and never regained consciousness.

Brad was a familiar sight around the county town and stood out because of his hairstyle, which earned him the nickname Mohican Man, and the fact he liked to walk around bare foot.

Mark Woodcock, manager of Open Door day centre for rough sleepers, said: "Brad was a well loved gentleman, very old school.

"People who knew he was dying this week haven't had a bad word to say about him.

"Although he had all those challenges, he was a lovely, lovely, genuinely nice guy, a delightful chap.

"He would just be here chatting away with whoever was there, particularly about music.

"He'd call all the blokes 'fella' and the ladies 'sweetheart'."

It is understood that Brad was originally came from Minehead and that he had no next of kin.

Justin Roxburgh, chief executive of Arc - formerly Taunton Association for the Homeless - said Brad had been known to the homeless charity for around ten years, being "in and out" of the organisation's accommodation, although he had not been staying with them last week.

He added: "He was a gentle and generous man and he was very much highly thought of by our staff.

"It's an unfortunate tragedy and outcome for him.

"We understand he has no next of kin but our thoughts go out to anyone out there who knew him.

"He was old school, very much part of our organisation and we have fond memories of doing things such as cooking meals at Norie House."

Open Door volunteer Ronnie Roach wrote the following poetic tribute:

''Brad. A quiet man, though his presence was felt.

''None of us knew of the cards he’d been dealt.

"With his eclectic style and Mohican hair

"And being barefoot would make people stare.

"A knowledgeable, interesting man to listen to,

"If you needed to know, it’s him you’d go to.

"Liked by many, loved by most."

It concluded:

"It won’t be the same without you, Brad,

"But we hope your time with us…was the best time you ever had."

Brad's friend Shonie Millward voiced an emotional tribute to the man, who she'd known since she was 15-years-old. 

The two struck up a friendship at Minehead Library where she waited before heading to work. She said he always cheered her up whenever she was sad.

She later caught up with him again in Taunton and was happy to show anyone that being a homeless man with a mohican didn't change how 'amazing' he was.

"I am beside myself," she said.

"I've seen him at so many different points in my life - he was the last person I said goodbye to before leaving to travel Spain and Portugal, and one of the last before I moved to Spain.

"It breaks my heart that I didn't get to say goodbye before he went on his final journey.

"Rest in peace mate.

"You made my life sparkle when through my lonely eyes it seemed but sludge.

"I don't know if you had family - but if you did, they should be proud.

"You were amazing."