TRIBUTES have been paid to a “wonderful son and fun loving lad” who died suddenly.

Tom Parsons, who was 22 and from West Heslerton, was on holiday with friends on the Greek island of Zante, when he died earlier this month.

His parents Nick and Sue said he had lived life to the full and would be greatly missed.

Mrs Parsons said Tom had been travelling in a taxi when he had suddenly been taken ill.

“We still do not know the cause of Tom’s death as all the tests have been inconclusive, but it was obviously something catastrophic,” she said. “Tom was a fit, healthy young man with no medical history. It has been devastating for everyone - you do not expect to have to bury your own child.”

Mr Parsons said: “Tom was a great sportsman and played rugby for Malton and Norton Rugby Club where he was captain of his age group for the junior team.

“He loved cycling, running and generally keeping fit. He was a great sports man with a wide range of hobbies and a big circle of friends.”

Tom attended Norton College where he gained 15 GCSEs, and had recently completed a plumbing apprenticeship with Smart Flo Ltd.

Mr Parsons said: “Tom was always very good with his hands and had a shed in the garden when he was younger. He had a good work ethic and was very friendly with customers.

“People who knew Tom all said what a polite and nice young man he was and what a good rapport he had.”

The couple said travel company Thomas Cook had been fantastic.

“They have been unbelievably supportive to us and all the lads out there sorting everything out and dealing with the Greek authorities and British Consul,” said Mr Parsons, adding that they had also had great support from family and friends.

“Locally people have offered their support and the lads who were out there with Tom have also been helping us through it.”

Tom’s girlfriend, Steph Bean, who owns Luxe hair salon, Malton, said they had first met two years ago. “I cut his hair and it went from there,” she said. “Tom was soft underneath and we had a fun relationship and enjoyed a good joke and plenty of banter.”

His friend Matti Reeves, said: “Pars was one of the nicest lads you could ask to meet and always had a smile on his face.He will always be remembered as a lad who was impossible to dislike. Losing one of your best mates is heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with his family and Steph.”

Bill Laidler, secretary of Malton and Norton RUFC, said: “Tom was a good young player. He came up through the juniors and was well liked by his peers. Tom was a very good lad to get on with and was always the ‘man of the match’ type and very promising player.”

Tom’s funeral service, a celebration of his life,, which has been arranged through Rowley and Sons Family Funeral Services, is at Octon Crematorium on Wednesday, August 31, at 2pm.

Mr Parsons said: “We are both very, very proud of Tom and what he achieved in life. He was a fun loving lad who lived life to the full and we could not wish for a more wonderful son.”