Friends and bandmates have paid touching tributes to a talented Leigh musician who died suddenly.

Dozens of floral tributes have been left outside The Crooked Billet pub, in Old Leigh, in memory of 20-year-old Ewan Lane, who lost his life in the last week of November.

Ewan was the drummer of London-based rock bank Action for two years and regularly gigged across the country.

Daniel Bunker, the band’s lead singer, said Ewan was “the most talented musician” he had ever met.

He added: “Me and two of my other friends Matt Darby and James Banister were looking to start a new hardcore band and another friend of mine put me in touch with Ewan.

“We met for the first time before our first practice at Leigh and got the train to London and just became friends from there.

“We all gelled and felt as if we’d all been friends together for years. Ewan was probably the most talented musician I know but more importantly an amazing friend to all of us in the band. He would always put others first and was selfless, happy and positive.

“There really was nobody quite like him and we are all going to miss him loads.”

Close friend, Kiera Rodway, 18, from Southend, described Ewan as “beyond talented”.

In a touching tribute to him, she added: “You honestly meant the world to me and the group.

“You were beyond talented and you were going to go so far in life. I’ve never met such a positive, caring individual and I’m so sad that we won’t have the chance to meet again. Thank you for being such a good best pal.”

The organisers behind a hardcore night called Luna Punx where the band regularly played in Leytonstone also paid respects.

A spokesman said: “Our heartfelt condolences to all the band members, family and friends of Ewan. I didn’t know him that well but what I knew of him was something great. At one show the house kit was missing a stand. Instead of stressing out he grabbed a mic stand and gaffer-taped his cymbal to it. We all had a good laugh and they smashed the set.”