A GRIEVING family has paid touching tribute to a keen cyclist and “legend of his time” who sadly died.

Carl Connors, 60, was found on Westcliff beach in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.

However, police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Carl was a well-known figure in Leigh and hundreds of people have paid tribute to him.

His family have now also released a statement paying tribute to their “gentle giant with a heart of pure gold”.

It reads: “Our hearts were broken when we learnt our beloved Carl had passed away.

“He leaves behind a mum, a brother, sons, a daughter, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Always there with a beaming smile, a loving heart and a wicked sense of humour. He leaves a big hole in our lives.

“We know he was loved by all who knew him, that much is obvious from all of the heartfelt words of sympathy that have been passed to us.

“We as a family are incredibly humbled by the kindness of everyone.

“We knew Carl the son, the brother, the father, the uncle and the grandfather as a legend of his time, it is evident his friends thought the same.”

They added they had fond memories of Carl on his bright orange bike, wearing desert boots and shorts no matter the weather and that people couldn’t help but be “captivated by his happy nature”.

He was always ready and willing to spend time with those who needed him and would enjoy chatting over an apple juice or three.

The family continued: “He found the good in everyone and had a strong moral code. He has been described as many things, including; a gentle giant with a heart of pure gold, a reasonable chap, salt of the earth, inspirational, a beautiful soul, truly genuine, one in a million, the list goes on and on. We are exceptionally blessed to have had this wonderful man in our lives and will make sure his legacy lives on.”

Friends paid tribute to the “really nice bloke” who “never had a bad word to say about anyone”.

Carl, known by some as Carlos, was described as a “legend” and “the nicest friend anyone could have”. His family thanked the community of Leigh and Southend for their “overwhelming” support since the news of his death.

The details of his funeral will be released in due course. Essex Police are appealing for information about his death, call Southend at CID on 101, quoting incident 137 of November 18.