A HEARTBROKEN family has paid tribute to a popular Harwich drummer affectionately known as 'Rocky'.

Darren Hambling was well known in Harwich and had been a drummer in amateur bands such as The Spiderz, Medicine, and Chameleon.

His family have described him as a "supremely talented musician".

An inquest held on Tuesday concluded Mr Hambling, 58, died following an overdose of anti-depressants.

His family said his sense of humour and musical talent would live long in the memory of all those who knew him.

His daughters Corina, Ashleigh, and Natalie said Mr Hambling was a "much-loved father, grandfather, brother, son, and partner.

“He was a supremely talented musician and had a profound impact on many people’s lives," they said.

“With a willingness to help others, a wicked sense of humour, and an infectious smile, he had a laugh that could fill a room.

“Darren will be greatly missed by so many, and is a huge loss to his family and the many people who knew and loved Darren as a musician and friend.”

Concerns were first raised about Mr Hambling’s welfare after family and friends had not heard from him for two days.

Mr Hambling was then found unresponsive at his address in Harwich on January 2.

A formal inquest was held on Tuesday in Chelmsford.

Michelle Brown, the area coroner for Essex, said a toxicology report found Mr Hambling's cause of death was Mirtazapine toxicity.

Mrs Brown added that Mr Hambling was not known to mental health services and no suicide note was left behind before he died.

She said: “Enquiries were made, and he was not known to EPUT (Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust) mental health services – no sort of suicide note was left, or anything of that nature.

“A relative last spoke to him on December 31 and he didn’t give indications of any problems, or anything at all.

“I, therefore, conclude that Mr Hambling died on January 2, at his home address in Harwich as a result of a drug-related death.”