MEMBERS and friends of Bournemouth's homeless community have paid their respects to their friend, Carl Lancelot, who died earlier this month.

Well-wishers left flowers and candles following a short service at Horseshoe Common in memory of Carl, 42, who is believed to have died on the night of Tuesday December 4.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

His friend, Chris, a chef who works with the Helping Hands Project, said Carl, who is believed to have been discovered outside Cameo nightclub in Glen Fern Road, was 'one of the good ones'. "He had a heart of gold. He never asked for change, just put his hand up to people to say hello," he said. "So long as he got his ham and cheese roll every evening he was happy."

Carl was 'very ill and shaky' in the day before he passed away, said Chris. "He had an abscess on his leg so it might be sepsis or hypothermia - he was a heroin addict but wasn't injecting so we don't think he could have gone over and he was really trying to sort himself out."

Chris said he had lived with Carl a few years ago but both had moved and he believed his friend had travelled between family in the north and a relative in Weymouth.

"I remember him going into a hostel about two years ago and there were a lot of arguments and it was stressing him out so much he made himself homeless again," said Chris. "He was used to the streets - I think he was just one of those guys who preferred the streets."

In addition to the memorial for Carl the Helping Hands Project - which provides clothes, tents, toiletries and 'anything that will help' for homeless people in the area - is also planning another gathering to remember Carl on Christmas Eve.

"We'll put details on our Facebook Page but anyone who wants to can come, or leave a tribute at Horseshoe Common," he said.

Bournemouth Borough Council said it had tried to engage with Carl on many occasions.

*EDIT: After contact from Carl's family, the spelling of his name has been changed.