Family, friends and sporting colleagues have been left saddened and stunned by the death of Martin Bawden who died suddenly on January 12, aged 43.

Martin, of Cherrytree Rise, Witham, had been a leading light in the local county and national table tennis scene for nearly 30 years, firstly as a player and then as a coach with an uncanny ability to teach and train the young players of the region and transform them into national stars.

He first started playing at a Sunday session on Canvey Island and was spotted at an early age as someone with potential.

He quickly established himself in the Southend area and gained representative and championship honours before his ability was recognised and rewarded by Essex.

Success followed at tournaments around the country with both individual and team awards, culminating in his match winning participation in the Essex championship winning side in the 1970s.

Martin served a successful apprentice in the print trade and managed to combine a heavy work schedule around his family and his natural love of sports, which saw him also become an accomplished snooker player.

Tributes have arrived from all over England and Germany where Martin played with and against the twinned city of Heilegenhaus.

It is hoped that they will send a representative to the funeral, which will take place at St Nicholas Church, Witham on Thursday, January 28 at 12 noon.

He leaves wife Sue, daughters Donna and Joanne, mother and father Pat and Ron, and brothers Andrew and Scott.

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