A MAN has died after being found lying on the street in Weymouth town centre.

The man, who has been named locally as Chris Shotter, was discovered unconscious in a passageway by a member of the public.

Paramedics rushed to the man’s aid after he was found collapsed in Church Passage between Maiden Street and St Mary Street, before he was taken to Dorset County Hospital.

He was later declared dead.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We can confirm that we were alerted by the ambulance service to a male found collapsed by a member of the public at 7.50am on Tuesday.

"The man was taken to Dorset County Hospital where Dorset Police later attended."

She added: "This matter is now in the hands of the coroner."

No further details have been released by the police.

Sue Kent, who worked with Chris at Alexandra Gardens, said: “He was such a great guy- always cracking a joke about something.

“You could always rely on Chris to put a smile on your face. He was really the best, they certainly broke the mould when they made Chris.

“I'm in absolute shock, just like everyone else- he was taken from us far too soon.”

The incident took place on the same day that 52-year-old Alan Fudge was found dead at the Rodwell House Hotel, where he lived in the town.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Ray Banham paid tribute to the two popular local men who have lost their lives this week.

He said: “It is a tragedy to hear of two young men losing their lives like this.

“It seems they were both very, very popular in the area and my thoughts go out to the friends and family.”

Well-wishers and friends took to Facebook yesterday to pay their respects to Chris, who was well-known in the local area and used to work at Alexandra Gardens in Weymouth.

One friend, who did not wish to be named, spoke of his shock at the tragic news.

He said: “It is the last thing I expected to hear. It is so sad and he was so young.”