The family of a popular and "kind-hearted" Whitehaven man "who loved to make people laugh", have thanked the community for their support since his sudden passing.

Gary 'Chong' Bayliff, 43, of Mirehouse, died on December 2 following a tragic accident.

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Mirehouse for Gary's funeral at St Benedict's Church on December 20 and a guard of honour was formed by his old teammates from Calder Lions, Whitehaven Social, Mirehouse AFC and St Benedict's.

A crowdfunding page set up in Gary's memory has raised thousands of pounds to support his family.

Gary, who worked as a labourer, has been described by those who knew him as a "funny, quick-witted character" with a kind heart who will be "missed dearly" by the Mirehouse community.

He leaves behind his mother, Imelda House; father, Stan Bayliff; brothers, Paul, Andrew, Craig and Sean; and sister, Adele, who has paid tribute to his life.

Adele said: "He was fun-loving, outgoing, lived for the day. Just always happy. Everyone just knew him as a joker. He was always telling jokes. He loved making people laugh. There have been beautiful tributes.

"At his funeral, there were so many people there. It just shows how much he was loved. The financial support was a massive help but it also proves how much he was loved by everyone, not just us."

Describing their childhood, Adele said: "He liked to win at everything. If he didn't win at board games, he would sulk. When he was younger, he was always out with his friends, which didn't change. He was always a sociable person."

Gary's family selflessly decided to donate his organs which has helped save the lives of three others.

A man in his 40s has received a kidney, a woman in her 40s had a life-saving liver transplant, and a woman in her 30s received another kidney and Gary's pancreas.

Adele said: "He wasn't on the organ donor register. We all had a discussion that it would be something Gary would have wanted if he had been part of the conversation. We decided to donate his organs. It feels like he's out there somewhere. It was a heartbreaking time to make that decision but we knew it was the right thing to do."

When asked what she would miss most about her brother, Adele replied: "Everything. His sense of humour. He didn't take anything seriously at all. He loved everybody. He was so non-judgemental."

Gary's old teammates from Calder Lions and St Benedict's Over 35s came together on Boxing Day to play a game of football in his memory.

His family attended to present the winner's trophy and Man of the Match award, which went to Carl McGrady.

Adele added: "A massive thank you to the whole Mirehouse community, the football people that raised all the money - Nicholas Bragg, Brian Bell, Wammo and Terry Smith - they've done him so proud.

"If he could see all this, he would be absolutely chuffed. There are not enough thanks in the world we could give those guys. They've just done so much for us."