TRIBUTES have flowed for a talented musician who has died at the age of 50.

Family and friends have described Mike Neate, from Staunton, as a "terrific musician".

Mr Neate, who died at the weekend, was the principal bassoon player in the county's top orchestras and had been playing with the Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra on Saturday evening.

His wife Elaine said her husband, a woodworker and kitchen fitter originally from south Wales, was a man who had many talents and interests.

"Music played a big part in his life and he made many friends from Cardiff to France through his involvement with orchestras. He originally wanted to play the trombone but his school didn't have one so he had to take up the bassoon instead.

"Considering his first teacher taught the trombone, it's surprising that he progressed as far as he did.

Mark Finch, conductor of Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra, described Mike as a terrific musician.

"He was a wonderful bassoonist – a brilliant sight reader and never lost his place," said Mark.

The other orchestra Mr Neate was involved in was the Cheltenham Philharmonic which operated an exchange with an orchestra in Cherbourg in France.

As well as hosting French musicians who came here to play, Mike and Elaine travelled to Cherbourg to play with the orchestra on four occasions.

The last time was special – their 16-year-old son Jim, who plays the French horn, and daughter Ellie, 14, who plays the cello, played with them in the orchestra.

He was found dead in the family home in Gloucester Road the following day. The death is being treated as unexplained by police.