TRAGEDY struck at a Vale hotel this week when a guest was discovered dead in the garden.

Paul Walsh, aged 38, from Hawthorn Way, Northway, Tewkesbury, was found in the garden of the Beckford Inn at 7.55am on Saturday.

An ambulance spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a man on the ground. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

Known as Corky to his friends, he has been described as a keen musician who “lived life to the fullest”. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

Manager of the Beckford Inn Keith Newby said: “This is an utter tragedy. Corky was part of a local folk band called Folklore who used to play for us here, I have known him for about six years.

“This guy was an ex-para, he was really tough. I don’t know exactly what happened, but it looks like he managed to lock himself out and went round the back to try and get back in, tripped and hit his head.

Others have said they thought he tried to climb up and fell.

“His body was discovered by someone from Kemerton Post Office.

They told us they thought someone was sleeping in the garden.

“Corky was not on a drinking binge, he stayed over that night because he was playing late. It just seems like such a tragic accident.

“You won’t hear a bad word said against him, he was a lovely fellow.

“It’s a great loss, but he lived his life to the fullest. He was a fantastic musician and could pick up an instrument and learn it in 10 minutes.

We plan to do some kind of tribute to him here at the hotel.”

Police confirmed that detectives were investigating the death but that “there were no indications at this time that it is suspicious”.

The spokesman also said: “A post mortem will be carried out this week to ascertain the cause of death.”