TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'loving' and 'caring' Weymouth man who was found dead at his home.

Police launched an investigation into the death of a local 52-year-old who was discovered at the Rodwell House Hotel on Tuesday evening.

The man has been named locally as popular resident and father Alan Fudge.

Emergency services rushed to the address of multiple occupancy on Rodwell Road at around 6.45pm.

Officers later confirmed that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Many residents spoke of their shock at the sudden loss of the 52-year-old, who had lived at the Rodwell Road property for thirteen years.

Community outreach worker Angie Barnes paid tribute to his 'loving' and 'caring' nature.

Miss Barnes said: “He was a lovely man and will be very much missed.

“Everyone knew him as a very caring person and it is a tragic loss.

“Our thoughts go out to the family and friends.”

The pair met some years ago through Miss Barnes' community work via Soul Food, which provides hot meals for rough sleepers which may include those addicted to drugs and drink and ex-offenders.

She told of how the 52-year-old was already a resident at the Rodwell House Hotel, when the landlord began to let her house Soul Food service users at the property when rooms became available.

Miss Barnes, who spent time on the streets herself, added: “All of the service users we work with are great people.

“It is a great shame to see that someone so young has died but it is something you see a lot of when you work in the community.”

She added: “Each time a service user dies I take it as a personal blow as we get to know them and what great people they are.”

Eyewitnesses spoke of their shock at seeing five police cars and an ambulance outside the hotel.

Friends and well-wishers took to Facebook and the Echo website to pay their respects.

Donna Hill posted her condolences. She said: “Such a wonderful man, so sad to lose a life so young R.I.P xxxxx.”

Other close friends, who knew Alan from the Rodwell area, paid tribute to his 'thoughtful, kind and caring' nature.

Dorset Police said the matter is now an issue for the coroner and that next of kin have been informed.

It is believed that Mr Fudge has left behind family members, including a daughter, on Portland.

Miss Barnes says she tragically sees on average three service users die each year, with this most recent death being the first this winter.

 Speaking outside the hotel on Tuesday evening, Inspector Geoff Hicks of Dorset Police said: “We are investigating the death of a 52 year-old local male.

“After initial investigations it is not believed to be suspicious.”