THE family of the 60-year-old man killed in a gas blast this week have paid tribute to him saying he died doing the job he loved.

Thomas Mooney - known as Tommy - from Good Road in Parkstone, was with his boss and colleague, Dave Matthews, on Monday May 9 at 8.45am when the gas cylinders they were working on exploded.

Both were taken from Reliance scrap metal yard in Nuffield Road on the Nuffield Estate to Poole Hospital, but Mr Mooney died at 1.22pm from 93 per cent burns.

His nephew Michael Munroe, 40, also from Good Road, Mr Munroe's partner and sons Joseph and Scott were at his bedside when his died.

The family said: "Tommy died doing the job he loved. He would have been devastated to know that his long-time friend, boss and work colleague, Dave Matthews, was seriously injured in the accident.

"Tommy was a little man with a heart of gold, well-known throughout Poole as a character.

"His big love was a beer and a cigarette, and this led to a lot of antics and fond memories to everyone who knew him.

"Everybody loved him, everyone who knew him will have a story to tell."

Mr Mooney - who never married or had children - moved from his home town of Jarrow in Tyne and Wear 15 years ago with his sister Ethel, who he was particularly close to.

He will be buried with his sister in the North East in the family grave. Mr Munroe said: "Tommy's death has devastated the family here and back North."

Mr Munroe's 18-year-old son Joe said: "Uncle Tom was such a generous and loving man. He could never be replaced."

Mr Matthews - aged 53, not 54 as the police originally released - is still in a life-threatening but stable condition at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, Sussex.

Police, the government's health and safety executive and Dorset Fire and Rescue are investigating the blast to decide whether Reliance scrap metal is to be prosecuted.

First published: May 13