A Medway taxi driver who went on dream holiday to get over his painful marriage break-up has died suddenly while on the trip.

Ashley Adams, a taxi driver in the Towns for 20 years, suffered a heart attack while visiting a friend in Cambodia. He was 41.

Mr Adams worked for the Rainham Cab Company, based in Station Road. He had also worked for Vokes Taxis in Chatham for a short time.

His family say he went on the trip get over his heartbreak and to visit former Rainham Cab driver, Elvin Stanley, who now owns a bar in Sihanoukville, Cambodia .

He died there from a heart attack on the evening of Saturday, January 31.

Mr Adams’ brother, Graeme, 53, said: “The break-up hit him hard, so he decided he should get away from it all, to help him get over it.

“He came to live with me in Lordswood after the marriage broke down.

“He loved being with me and my daughter Jennifer and son Jordan. We loved having him around.

“He was always happy, never angry and was always joking about having fun.”

Mr Adams flew out to Bangkok, Thailand, on January 22, where he met Mr Stanley and then spent a few days on the beach in Pattaya.

Graeme Adams said: “They then went by bus to the resort in Cambodia and he told me he was having a great time there.

“He said he really liked it in Cambodia and was thinking of staying longer.

“It came a such a shock when the police told me he’d died. I just couldn’t believe it.”

Mr Adams described his brother as “a gentle giant.”

“He loved life, football and fishing and he was in the perfect job, as he was born to be a taxi driver. He was larger than life, a real character. He lived life to the full. We were a close family.”

Graeme Adams flew out to Cambodia with Ashley’s friend Paul Terry to make arrangements for his repatriation.

Ashley’s body was flown back to Britain last week from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.

Graeme Adams and his family have thanked the many people who have given them messages of support.

He said: “His old boss Tim, from Rainham Cab Company, and Lance, from Vokes, have been great; in fact all his friends have been.

“The British Consulate were also fantastic while we were out there and I must also thank Paul Terry who flew out with me. I’m terrified of flying, but he was with me there all the way.

“I’ve not finalised Ashley’s funeral details yet, but his funeral service will be held at Christ Church, in Luton, Chatham. We’ve got a family plot at Chatham Cemetery and he will be buried there next to our mum.

“His boss said there will be a convoy of taxis paying tribute.”