THE death of a popular villager in a garden explosion has left Horspath in shock.

Ian Simpson, 48, died after he cut into an oil drum in the front garden of his family’s College Way home just before 8pm on Friday.

The family had been celebrating brother Craig’s 46th birthday when the explosion happened.

Mr Simpson died hours later from his injuries at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital .

He lived with his 77-year-old mother Betty in another College Way house and was well known at The Queen’s Head pub and Horspath Cricket Club.

His family and villagers last night paid tribute to him, saying he would do anything for anyone.

James Simpson, 51, who was with him at the time, said his brother had been using an angle grinder to try to make a bonfire container out of the 40-gallon drum.

He said: “It is a heartbreaker. He will be greatly missed in the pub. He used to love going there and laughing and socialising.”

Sister Reah Debanks, 43, from Wood Farm, said: “He loved his family and the village.

“He would do anything for anybody, no matter what.”

Family and neighbours tied flowers and cards to the garden gates near where the accident happened.

Craig, 46, who works for Oxfordshire County Council ’s highway contractors Atkins, said Horspath would not be the same without his brother, adding: “He will be greatly missed.”

Police are treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious and have passed the case to the Oxfordshire Coroner.

Mr Simpson, who worked at Manor Farm in the village, was a former pupil of Horspath Primary, Woodeaton Manor, and Iffley Mead Schools. He was uncle to 11 nieces and six nephews.

Drinkers at The Queen’s Head in Church Road said he was a big part of village life and liked to play Aunt Sally and darts.

Dave Riley, of Berkeley Park, said: “We are all shattered.”

Paula Latham, 66, from The Green, said: “We keep turning around expecting to see him there.

“He was very well liked. Everybody is shocked.”

Another local said: “We will miss him. He was part of the furniture.”

Barman Ellis Reid said: “Everyone is devastated. It’s going to be a lot different without him here.”

And John Thompson, of Horspath Cricket Club, said: “He was a real character. He had a good heart. It is totally tragic.”