FAMILY and friends have paid moving tributes to a young man with a “heart of gold” who was stabbed to death on Halloween.

Daniel Berry, 33, who was raised in Seventh Avenue, Canvey, died after he was stabbed once in the chest, in High Street, Benfleet, at 8.40pm on Friday.

His mother and father have died, but he left behind four brothers and a sister, who all live locally.

Keen fisherman Mr Berry was living on Canvey, with his “surrogate mum”, Dolly Brett, in Linden Way, when he died.

Mrs Brett, 51, said: “He was happy-go-lucky and had so many mates.

“He was dearly loved by all his brothers and sister and was like a third son to me.

* James Pearson, 45, of High Street, Benfleet, appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with murder following the stabbing. He was remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on January 26.

FULL STORY IN TUESDAY'S ECHO