NEIGHBOURS mourning the loss of a Hampshire great-grandad who fell to his death from a bridge have released a host of red and white balloons in his memory.

Mum-of-three Laura Wynter, who has lived next to Kevin Smith for the last six years, described the grandad as the “godfather of the block”.

The 27-year-old said she wanted to do something for Kevin who had “done something for everyone” in their building of flats.

She added the 60-year-old was a huge Saints fan so she decided it would be nice to invite neighbours, friends and family members to write a note for Kevin before sending it up on red or white balloons.

More than 50 people turned up to honour Kevin’s memory.

Kevin’s wife Pauline said she had been with her husband, who used to be a painter and decorator, since she was 14 years old and she was 60 now.

She added they had four children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Pauline told the Daily Echo it had recently been their anniversary.

“We all called him the legend. He was a real family man. He loved his family and worshipped his grandchildren,” she added.

“We loved each other very much. We were always together. We had our ups and downs but we haven’t had an argument in 12 years.

“Everybody is shocked by what has happened. I don’t know what could have happened. He would have never have left me.

“I was so surprised when I came out and saw how many people were in Laura’s back garden. It was lovely.”

Tina, Kevin’s daughter, also paid tribute to the “amazing man”.

“He was well loved by everybody. The whole estate knew him as ‘the legend’. I didn’t know anyone who did not like him,” she said.

“He was a proper gentleman and a loving and caring man.

“The balloons were a lovely idea – it was beautiful.”

Laura said she first met Kevin nine years ago when she lived in Epping Close, Bitterne. Then, after she moved just around the corner, she noticed her new neighbour looked quite familiar – it was Kevin.

“He is like the godfather of the block. He was everyone’s friend. He has helped every single person in our block at one point,” she added.

“He is a huge Saints fan. Everything in his life was Saints, so all the balloons were red and white.

“If he ever saw me looking down he would make sure I was okay and if anyone needed help he would be out helping them, moving stuff – whatever they needed, he was an absolute diamond.”

Police have launched an inquiry into Kevin’s death after he fell from a bridge over a busy dual-carriageway on Friday afternoon.

Officers were called to the incident at Maybray King Way in Southampton following the tragedy, which occurred in full view of passing motorists.

It is believed the grandfather fell 30ft from the western side of the bridge at about 2.15pm and died from his injuries after landing on concrete, despite paramedics’ best efforts to save him.

A police spokesman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.