THE family of a young man who mysteriously died in his sleep paid tribute to a "generous and popular" son.

Twenty-seven-year-old Carl David was buried last week after his parents found him dead in his bed at the family's Cwmbran home.

Mr David is believed to have suffered some form of heart failure but it is still unclear exactly what caused his death.

His parents Karan, 51, and Graham, 47, said his death on January 10 had come as a great shock to his family and the wider Thornhill community.

Mr David, of Monnow Court, said: "I never came across anyone as generous as him. There were so many things he did for other people that we have only found out about since his death.

"He will be sadly missed by a lot of people. It is heart-breaking."

Carl, a factory worker, had suffered from an undiagnosed sleeping problem for many years, which resulted in him falling asleep regularly no matter what he was doing.

Three years ago tests revealed he had a mysterious, undiagnosed blood disorder that was intermitantly attacking his heart and other vital organs.

Shortly after, the former Croesyceiliog Comprehensive and St Alban's RC High School pupil was also diagnosed with Stills disease - a form of arthritis that caused him pain around his joints.

"He never complained about anything though. He didn't want anyone to know if he was ill," mum Karan added.

Father Graham said: "And he never let his illnesses stop him from doing anything. He loved fishing, walking and being outdoors."

Around 300 mourners packed into Holy Trinity Church for Mr David's funeral service last week - a testament to his wide-ranging popularity, according to his family.

"You had to get to know him as a person but beneath his natural shyness was a great sense of humour," Mrs David said.

Carl, had a brother, Lawrence, 20, and sister, Dion, 33.

Family thank community for support The David family thanked the local community for their support since Carl's tragic death.

Locals at The Bush pub in Cwmbran have raised £800, which will be donated to research of Stills disease. Other local residents and pubs have also offered support and donations.

Mr David said: "It is a rare condition that nobody knows about and we think it is a worthwhile cause."

Stills Disease is a form of arthritis which causes painful inflamation of the joints, tissues, and organ. It affects one in every 100,000 people.