NEIL Tomkins, the 'gentle giant' whose sudden death caused a meningitis scare died from the equally deadly disease meningococcal septicaemia or blood poisoning, pathologists' tests revealed.

The disease, which is caused by the same type of bacteria as meningitis, can prove fatal within a few hours.

Neil, of Barons Cross, Leominster, who was 6ft 5ins tall, was a lean, fit man of 40.

A foreman with Burgoynes Marquees who was sometimes affectionately ribbed by friends as 'the spare tent pole', he was struck down by the killer disease on August 2 while working on the site of Burwarton Show, south Shropshire.

Paramedics gave him aid but he was pronounced dead at hospital in Telford.

Neil's funeral will take place tomorrow, Friday, at noon in Monkland Church.

But the Monkland autumn produce show - of which Neil's mother Janet Bottom is the main organiser - has been cancelled on Saturday.

Mrs Bottom's friend, Wendy Jancey, a member of the show committee, said: "We felt we couldn't go ahead this weekend in the circumstances.

"Neil's death has come as a terrible shock. There will be no Monkland show this year."

Neil, a colourful figure who was often seen wearing the kit of his beloved Arsenal soccer club, lived at Monkland for many years and was a popular character and skittles team member at the village pub.

He is to be buried at the parish churchyard tomorrow wearing the team strip of his beloved 'Gunners' next to the grave of his brother Roger who died from leukaemia.