On Saturday, Reginald Jack Sturgeon, 80, who regularly wound the clock at St Mary's Church, in Mildenhall, fell off a ladder leading to the clock.

Members of the fire service who were in the wedding congregation administered first aid while the Rev Stefanie Hodges asked people to pray for him, but he died at 2.15pm.

A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said Mr Sturgeon, who was known as Jack, was believed to have suffered severe head injuries, but subsequently had a heart attack and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Peter Sturgeon, Jack's brother, speaking on behalf of friends and family, described him as a true Mildenhall man, who worked with the Parker Brothers, the millers, as an electrician and in other roles.

Mr Sturgeon was a verger for more than 40 years and helped to maintain the electrics, heating, bell mechanisms and was also a bell ringer.

Peter Sturgeon said: "He spent endless hours attending these duties, as well as preparations for the normal services and special occasions.

"He was a caring and true servant of the church, well-known and liked by many. He will be sorely missed."

Jack is survived by his wife Beryl and daughters Valerie and Ann.

Ms Hodges, team vicar in Mildenhall, said: "We are absolutely devastated. Jack was a humble guy. He worked so hard in the background. From the church's point of view he was loved.

"He was one of these people who would go everywhere on his bike and wherever you were, he would always get off and speak to you."

The incident took place after the wedding of retained firefighter Cllr Brian Keane and Kelly Brown.

Cllr Keane said: "We didn't know too much about what had happened and I didn't tell my wife until the evening, when everyone knew what was going on. We then had a couple of minutes together to pay our respect.

"Our thoughts are with Beryl and his family now."

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service assistant divisional officer Pat Dacey expressed his sympathy to Mr Sturgeon's wife.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and the death had been passed to the coroner. An inquest was opened and adjourned this week.

An investigation into the incident has been launched by Environmental Health officers at Forest Heath District Council, in relation to health and safety.

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