A former Chelmsford College student has tragically died on the day of his grandfather's funeral.

James Cook, 24, died on Thursday morning on the way to his temporary job at Chelmsford Prison.

His green MGF car left High Easter Road, High Easter, on a sweeping bend just a short distance from where he had lived with parents Brenda and Paul Cook for 13 years. His car hit a tree.

Mr Cook was certified dead at the scene of the accident.

Bouquets of flowers have been placed around the tree with many personal tributes.

The popular young man who loved life had taken a catering course at Chelmsford College but sister Lisa Phelps, 26, said her brother could never decide what he wanted to do for a living and took temporary work.

His father said he worked temporarily at Chelmsford's Springfield Medical Centre.

"That job reflected his nature. He was a caring young man and was always concerned about people and animals.

"He had the ability to communicate with young and old. He could always get his young nephew to calm down and sleep and he nursed his great grandmother," said Mr Cook.

Mrs Cook told how her son took his grandmother for medical treatment every day.

Mr Cook added: "He was such a beautiful lad - you couldn't want for a better son. He was considerate and kind."

The funeral service will be at Chelmsford Crematorium on Tuesday, July 10 at 2pm followed by a thanksgiving for his life led by Major Bradbury of Chelmsford Salvation Army at James Cook's home, Ellis Farm in High Easter.

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