TRIBUTES have been paid to a "larger than life character" from Flintshire who is believed to have taken his own life.

Kyle Hurst, from Bagillt, sadly died at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's A+E department on January 24 after a suspected overdose of tablets.

An inquest opened on Monday into his death was told it is believed to have been a "deliberate act of self harm". He was just 29 years of age.

Since the tragedy, two fundraising pages have been set up in his memory and to help his family with funeral costs, collectively raising more than £3,000.

The first, set up by the Boot and Ship pub in Bagillt, where Kyle was said to be a "regular", says: "We would love to raise a few quid to cover the funeral costs of a well-known, well-liked and larger than life character from Bagillt.

"Kyle was the life and soul of the party, he worked hard and partied harder. If Kyle was in the room you knew it.

"(He was) always willing to lend a friend a hand and go out of his way to help others. Kyle will be sadly missed not only by his family but by the many, many friends who thought the world of him."

It says his death has left a"massive hole in the lives of the people that had the pleasure to know him".

It adds: "Sadly, his sudden death has left little to cover the cost of his funeral but I’m sure everyone he’d ever helped out would be happy to buy him one last drink."

Kyle's mum, Gayle, also paid a touching tribute to him.

She said: "Among all of those that knew Kyle, loved ones or otherwise, there is never a bad word said against him.

"It’s heartwarming to hear everyone saying how Kyle was always willing to help them in any way he could. Many tributes paid to Kyle talk about his unique style of banter which was sometimes inappropriate to say the least. I had always taught him to tell the truth and even if the truth hurt, that’s exactly what you got from Kyle.

"Kyle would call me every single day, sometimes as few as five or six times but sometimes as many as 30. He started each conversation with 'Hello Mother' and he would then turn the air blue as he told me of his latest escapade, describing things in graphic detail embarrassing me so much as to make me blush but never enough to not make me smile and laugh out loud.

"The calls would always end 'I love you mum'."

Kyle enjoyed fishing, loved cars and rock climbing and was an avid gamer on his playstation, and was well-known for his great level of intelligence.

He is said to have mastered many trades in his time, each role he filled with "diligence, rigour and fun in equal measure". His family say he constantly surprised people with his "stamina, strength and determination", and that Kyle was always at his happiest when he was working.

Paul Williams, Gayle's partner, said: "The tributes that have been coming in over Facebook are testament to this larger-than-life character, he was always on hand for a laugh and a joke and pint or three.

"I wish he knew just how much he was loved by so many people."

The Leader: Kyle HurstKyle Hurst

The other fundraising page, set up by his former employers, Lewtas Logistics Group NW LTD, says: "We are saddened to hear about the passing of our good friend Kyle and want to contribute anything we can towards his funeral costs. He will be sorely missed."

Sharing the link, the firm posted on Facebook: "Whilst he left the business a few months ago, he was a big part of the team, as shown by the team setting up this fund for his family in his memory.

"Please take a moment of your time to donate, any amount big or small, to honour the guy who delivered your food, your essentials, all the way through the Covid-19 pandemic."

His family are asking for donations in Kyle's memory to Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - a charity aimed at supporting young men who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, which is the single biggest killer of man under the age of 45 in the UK.

CALM's helpline is free to call on 0800 58 58 58, and Samaritans' 24-hour helpline is available on 116 123.

To donate to the fundraisers in Kyle's memory, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mary-edwards?utm_term=94g5y4jqd&fbclid=IwAR29xxv5-xTUB_U4_V3UwZXX-UF06rxcEZsydMByARkZ8y2mRd5jdZleSsk and https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-harvey-3?fbclid=IwAR3UtGgDH-gqrUXLXB8kQPjHgSo3VQX1pR1qeVnMYGQ6xBDqLoyunCizZSg

Coroner for North Wales East and Central, John Gittins, said a postmortem was undertake into Kyle's death - with a cause of death deferred to full inquest pending toxicology results.

A full inquest will be held at a date to be fixed.