WAVENEY'S sporting community has been left shocked and saddened by the death of a popular local sportsman. Touching tributes have flooded in for Peter Anderson, who was well-known locally as a talented cricketer, footballer and rugby player.

WAVENEY'S sporting community has been left shocked and saddened by the death of a popular local sportsman.

Touching tributes have flooded in for Peter Anderson, who was well-known locally as a talented cricketer, footballer and rugby player.

The 34-year-old was found dead at his home in Field View Gardens in Beccles on Monday.

The police, who were called to the address by the ambulance service at 6.25pm, said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

Mr Anderson, who grew up in Lowestoft, attending Roman Hill Primary, Harris Middle, and Denes High schools, worked in the IT department at Aviva in Norwich, having previously been employed at local printing companies.

A skilful wicket-keeper, who was a regular in Beccles Town Cricket Club's first team, Mr Anderson played his last match on Saturday away to North Runcton, where he scored 47 runs, also claiming one stumping and a catch.

The club issued a statement on Wednesday saying: “With the sudden death of Peter Anderson earlier this week Beccles Town Cricket Club would like to extend their deepest sympathy to his parents and family. As a mark of respect for Peter, a minute's silence will be held before each of the club's fixtures on Saturday.”

Mr Anderson had played the two previous seasons and another in the late 1990s for Vauxhall Mallards Cricket Club in Brundall.

Mr Anderson was also well known at Lowestoft Town Cricket Club. Club captain Peter Sims said: “During his many years at the club Pete was actively involved with Lowestoft Town CC both on and off the field. Pete was a talented wicket-keeper and batsman who in cricket as in his life met his challenges head-on. Pete progressed through the youth ranks, playing in all the club's sides, culminating in him captaining the first team in the 2000 season.”

He added: “From a personal point of view I have so many memories of Pete, right from when I was a young coach and he first came to the club as a junior at U11 level. I am proud that we went on to be both friends and team-mates after that, before Pete looked for new challenges at other clubs.”

In his rugby career, Mr Anderson started out as a junior at Lowestoft and Yarmouth Rugby Club, returning to the club recently as a scrum-half after two seasons away. Club chairman Keith Nelson said: “Peter will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was an excellent club member.”

Nick Beese, president of Beccles Rugby Club, his home team for two years, said: “He was very well-liked by everybody at the club and he will be sorely missed. It has come as a big shock to people within the club.”

Mr Anderson, an avid Ipswich Town fan, who sent a note of condolence, was a qualified football referee and coach and previously ran a team for Waveney Youth FC, taking charge of the U8 side until they reached U13 level. He had signed up to play for Caxton Arms Football Club in Beccles this season.

By Wednesday this week more than 365 people had joined a Facebook group set up to enable friends and family to post their tributes.

Mr Anderson leaves his parents Brian and Patricia and brother David.

In a statement his family said: “Brian, Patricia, David and family are struggling to come to terms with the sudden, devastating loss of Peter, who was such a friendly, cheerful and outgoing son and brother.

“Peter was six when the family moved to Lowestoft and has lived in Beccles for the last 15 years. He was a sports enthusiast and a member of many sports clubs in the area. Peter brightened up the lives of everyone he met and his unexpected and tragic departure leaves a void that cannot be filled. He will be dearly missed.”

Police said that following the results of a post mortem examination an inquest will be held into his death.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 12.40pm at Gorleston Crematorium. Instead of flowers the family would prefer donations to Cancer Research and The Heart Foundation on the day.

There will be a football match on Sunday in Pete's memory. It is being played beside the Beccles Caxton pitch at 10.30am. A barbecue will be held after the match at the Caxton Arms at 1.15pm.