TRIBUTES have been paid to a devoted dad who was a firefighter by day and a rock singer at night.

Joe Keighley, from Brightlingsea, died suddenly earlier this month, aged 42.

The dad-of-three was a Clacton firefighter for the last eight years.

Twin brother Jeff said: “Joe had a clever sense of humour and he was a very funny person.

“He was good to his friends and he always put caring for his children first.

“He always loved playing and performing music.”

Joe was the lead singer of Brightlingsea-based band The Vipers, who played gigs across the area.

He had travelled extensively but settled in Brightlingsea and had many close friends in the area.

Joe was a retained firefighter before serving in the RAF fire brigade and then becoming a regular firefighter based in Clacton eight years ago.

His funeral took place at All Saints Church, Brightlingsea, last week.

Joe’s family are raising money in his memory for the charity Mind at memoryspace.mind.org.uk/Memory- Space/Joe-Keighley

A statement posted by the family on the website said: “Joe had been suffering from depression for many years although he hid it well from most people.

“It has come as a great shock to all that knew him and he will be missed by many.

“We hope he is finally at rest.”