TRIBUTES have been paid to a homeless man who died at the YMCA on Saturday.

Police were called at 10.40am on Saturday to reports that a man, named locally as David Smith, had died at the North Road premises.

Since the news broke, messages and tributes online have been paid to Dave, who was believed to be in his 50s, and a memorial has taken place, hosted by homeless charity Teardrops.

Floral tributes have been left outside the YMCA.

Shauni Ward, co-founder of the charity, said: “We were just devastated when we heard the news because Dave was such a lovely and polite man.

“When Danny Fox died and people were collecting money for his funeral, I personally saw Dave give what little he had.

“When we told him people don’t expect that from you Dave, he just said 'no I want to do my bit and show my respects'. That was the kind of man he was.

“It doesn’t matter how people got to where they are now, all people deserve respect.

“I saw him on Friday and he was out of sorts then but in his situation many people have off days. I just hope this shows people that the homeless in the community need support not to be ignored.

“We held a memorial in front of the YMCA for him on Saturday after a bit of a get together at our café, lots of people said their bit about him.

“It doesn’t matter who you are whether you have money or your homeless, everyone should be remembered and we will remember Dave.”

More than 80 comments have been posted online regarding his death

Kerri Jones said via Facebook: “Such a shame, its only in hindsight that people start thinking why wasn't more done?

“The focus should be what can we do now to stop this happening to another human, whose life could have been very different.

“It's so sad that we live in a world that lets this happen and usually the people with the least to give are giving more than those with the most.”

Natalie Jayne Couzens added: “R.I.P so sad, no one should look down on anyone! We are all humans and should be treated with respect no matter what your situation.”

Police are treating the death as not suspicious at this time and the case will be sent to the coroners.