"He was a happy-go-lucky sort of man, the life and soul at family parties": Family tributes paid to grandfather

The family of a grandfather who took his own life after struggling to cope with the coronavirus lockdown have been left devastated and in shock.

83-year-old Dennis Ward's death at his Kings Norton home on Saturday was confirmed by his grandson James Parnaby.

He described him as a 'happy-go-lucky' character and the 'life andsoul' of the party who had never had issues with depression before.

Dennis grew up in Coventry but spent much of his life living in theKings Heath area of south Birmingham.

He had worked at Jaguar Land Rover in Castle Bromwich and was married to his wife Valerie Ward for 60 years.

His death was totally unexpected for the family.

Dennis survived by his son and daughter, three grandchildren, as well as great granddaughter Scarlett.

His grandson James has also launched a fundraising campaign for the Mind mental charity in memory of Dennis.