THE death of a 'gentle giant' has cast a cloud over preparations for today's Burwarton Show.

Tests were due to be carried out today (Thursday) to discover whether Neil Tomkins, site foreman, died of meningitis.

Mr Tomkins, who worked for the firm which supplies the marquee at Burwarton, died suddenly on Saturday morning. He was 40.

A minute's silence was held at Burwarton at Sunday night's pre-show stewards' meeting.

'Gentle giant'

Mr Tomkins from Leomin-ster was 6 foot 5 inches and known as a 'gentle giant'. He had worked all day Friday on the marquee and was taken ill the following morning. He was confirmed dead on arrival at hospital in Telford.

Meningitis was suspected but the cause of death will not be determined until after a post mortem today. As a precaution, his colleagues were tested for meningitis.

Peter Burgoyne, chairman of Burgoynes, said: "This has left us in a great state of shock. Neil left school at 15 and came straight to work with me. He was with us 25 years. He was one of our rising stars."

Officials at the show were also shaken. Robert Tindall, chairman of the Burwarton and District Agricultural Society, said: "We are all deeply shocked and very sad. It's a tragedy."