Tributes have been paid to a Silsden man who fell to his death while working on air conditioning at a supermarket.

Family man Tony Hopkins died at Rotherham District General Hospital from injuries he suffered in the fall at the Iceland store in the town.

Paul Thompson, former landlord of the Robin Hood pub in Silsden, yesterday described 58-year-old Mr Hopkins as the “heart and soul” of any social event.

“I’ve known Tony since he moved to the village with his partner and their two children about eight years ago.

“He was one of the nicest, funniest men you could ever meet.

“Nothing got him down, he was always full of jokes and laughs,” said Mr Thompson, who finished running the pub on Monday.

He said the maintenance sub-contractor, his wife Sue and two sons lived in the Bolton Road area of Silsden.

“Tony moved into the village and became the heart and soul of it.

“He loved to socialise and was a proper regular at the Robin Hood – it’s so sad,” Mr Thompson said.

“Apart from socialising, his real other passion was rugby league and especially supporting his home team of St Helens.

“Everyone who knew Tony thought he was great and so naturally we’re all terribly upset by what’s happened.”

It is understood Mr Hopkins was fatally injured while carrying out work in a storage area of the premises on Monday.

A spokesman for Iceland said the company’s thoughts were with the Mr Hopkins’ family and friends.

An investigation into what happened is being carried out by Rotherham Borough Council environmental health officers.

Doncaster Assistant Coroner Raymond Curtis yesterday opened an inquest into Mr Hopkins’ death and adjourned it until February 19.