THE devastated family of a caretaker found hanged in Wimborne’s Allendale Centre has paid tribute to his jolly personality and intelligence.

The body of Tim Smith, 58, was discovered in the centre where he worked on Monday morning. There are no suspicious circumstances.

His step-daughter-in-law, Elaine Fairfax, told the Daily Echo that Mr Smith, a former stallholder at Wimborne Market, had worked at the centre for around 18 months.

She said: “A lot of people knew him because he was a general handyman there and came into contact with people using the centre.

“We are very upset. He was a very jolly person who was involved in a lot of projects.

“He loved his electronics and was very intelligent with a Masters degree.”

Elaine, who lives in Bournemouth, said Mr Smith was born in Tunbridge Wells but had lived in Dorset for many years, working as a farmer and also running a fishing stall in the market.

He was also known for taking part in karaoke in the Wimborne and Ferndown areas, she added.

He leaves his wife, Jacqueline, along with two stepsons and their families.

Dorset Police officers were called to the Hanham Road centre just before 8.30am and the coroner has been informed.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out yesterday afternoon and an inquest will be held at a later date.

The centre is run by the Wimborne and District Community Association and has rooms to hire and a cafe.

A spokesman for the centre told the Daily Echo: “Wimborne and District Community Association staff and committee offer their sincere condolences to all of Tim’s family and friends.

“We are awaiting the outcome of police investigations before making further comment.”

Anthony Oliver, a church warden at Wimborne Minster, said he first heard of the tragedy when someone asked for prayers to be said for Mr Smith.

Mr Oliver, the former chairman of Wimborne in Bloom, said: “I would like to offer huge condolences – it is a very sad affair.

“He was always a very helpful person and it is very sad. The centre is used by many groups in Wimborne so a lot of people know him and will be upset by this.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police told the Daily Echo: “At 8.26am on Monday June 9 Dorset Police received a report of a sudden death at the Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne.

“Officers attended, together with the ambulance service, where sadly a 58-year-old man was found to have died.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Next of kin and HM Coroner have been informed.”