THE devastated family of a Hampshire man who died following a scuffle outside a pub last weekend have spoken for the first time of their loss.

They described Peter Lawrence as "a genuinely kind and sensitive person who would have done anything for anyone".

The 37-year-old father-of-one, from Titchfield Common, died on Saturday night after falling unconscious during a scuffle involving four members of security staff at a bar in Port Solent.

He had spent the evening with his sister and friends in the Lloyds No 1 bar before the incident, which happened between 11.24pm and 11.45pm.

As well as his sister, with whom he lived, Mr Lawrence has left behind a brother, his parents and an eight-month-old son.

This afternoon they said he was a "full of life people person who loved to socialise and would usually be the centre of attention, who will be sorely missed by his family and many friends".

"We do not know how to continue without him," they said in a statement.

"He always made people laugh and liked to play practical jokes, and was a kind of cheeky chappie'.

"Those who didn't know him would take to him; he was so funny and sociable.

"He always made the effort and easily made friends.

They also described Mr Lawrence as a devoted family man.

"Peter would go out to have fun, not to look for trouble; he loved his family and would look out for them," they added.

"He used to say, My boy is my rock' and, The meaning of my life is to love my son, do everything with him and make sure he is happy'.

"Peter was very into motorbikes, both sports bikes and scramblers, and one of his ambitions was to teach his son to ride a scrambling bike."

The family also said they were certain he had not started any trouble on the night he died.

"It was a happy evening and, as usual, Peter was the life and soul of the group," they said.

"We understand that he caused no disturbance at the bar to justify his treatment and so we would like to appeal for witnesses to come forward if they saw the events that evening."

Anyone with any information about Mr Lawrence's death should call Hampshire police on 0845 045 45 45, quoting Operation Marco, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.