A well-known man who was banned from begging in Liskeard has died of a suspected drugs overdose at the age of 34.

Tributes were expected to be paid to Philip Cheshire, who died in a flat in Devonport in Plymouth, at his funeral being held at Efford Crematorium in the city today.

Wendy Chapman, project manager of the Shekinah Mission drop-in centre in Plymouth, which he attended quite often, said: 'Phil was a very intelligent man and had really good support – he had a family who loved him.

'The circumstances in which he died weren't good and it's never a good time, but especially not this close to Christmas.'

For more details see this week's Cornish Times.