THE family of a Dutch construction worker who died while building a bridge in Colchester will pay tribute to him at a memorial service.

Joop Vanbergh lost his life while working on the Hythe bridge bypass 25 years ago.

Unite, the UK and Ireland's construction union, is supporting a memorial event on Saturday which will mark the anniversary of his death.

The event is being organised by the Colchester Trades Council and is taking place to mark the beginning of European Health and Safety week.

Speakers will include Kitty Jong, the vice president of Dutch construction union FNV and Guy Langston, regional construction officer for Unite.

Mr Langston said: "Each and every construction death should be marked and remembered.

"In every case someone’s loved one, went to work one day and never came home again.

"Twenty five years after Joop Vanbergh was killed while building the Hythe Bridge bypass his family still feel that loss.

"Even 25 years later and despite advances in safety, the deaths of construction workers, remain far too common. One death is one too many.

"European health and safety week is an important event as it allows workers in all sectors to put pressure on employers to undertake site inspections and to improve safety on their premises."

The memorial service will take place at 4pm at the bridge, off Hythe Station Road.