TRIBUTES have been paid to man who died after choking on a beefburger in McDonald’s on Christmas Eve.

Joseph Saunders, 51, was rushed to Colchester General Hospital after choking at the fastfood outlet and then suffering a heart attack, but medics were unable to save him.

Mr Saunders, from Clacton, had been a Big Issue seller until shortly before his tragic death.

A spokesman for the charity said: “The last time he was seen at the Big Issue was in Colchester on December 9.

“One of our officers said he was in a new relationship and was keen to find a new job.

“We are obviously sad - he was a popular vendor and we featured him in the magazine.”

Mr Saunders told the magazine he became homeless when his marriage broke down.

He described sleeping on the streets of Colchester as “horrible” so moved to Clacton The former bricklayer then went to Norwich where he started selling the Big Issue.

He told the magazine: “Things are looking up for me. I’m trying to put the past behind me, learn my lesson and bring my life back on track. I’m not sure what I’d be doing if it wasn’t for The Big Issue – it’s the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”