THE devastated mother of a popular Kidderminster mechanic who died suddenly has revealed her final words to him were to tell him she loved him.

Christine Goodall paid tribute to her son Adam Tombs and said his death had come as a huge shock to everyone who knew him and that he would be hugely missed.

Mr Tombs died in his sleep while at his girlfriend Kim Parton’s house in Frankley, near Birmingham on April 15. The cause of death is yet to be established and Mrs Goodall said she was not aware of any underlying health problems.

The 31-year-old worked as a mechanic in the family business Castle Road Motors in Kidderminster, which was set up in the town by his grandad David Gauld around 60 years ago.

He started working at the garage, alongside his mum and older brother Glen, at the age of 16 and had recently qualified to become an MOT tester.

He was also a drum and bass DJ in clubs across his hometown Stourbridge – presenting his ‘High Voltage’ events under the moniker DJ Toomz.

Mrs Goodall said: “We are all devastated and this has come as a huge shock.

“He spent the night at Kim’s house and, because he didn’t have work on Saturday, she thought she’d let him have a lie-in. Kim went out to meet me but when returned back she discovered he wasn’t breathing.

“Before he left the house on Friday night, my last words to Adam were ‘I love you’ and he gave me a kiss goodbye. It is hugely comforting for me to know that was the last thing I said to him.”

Mrs Goodall added that she has been touched by the outpouring of grief from people who knew him through his DJing and customers at the garage.

She said: “Adam was very funny with a great sense of humour and everybody loved him. He had so many friends and acquaintances and we have been inundated with cards and flowers from everyone including customers.

“We have been telling customers as they’ve been coming in and they are devastated. Both he and his brother are very popular with them.

“Adam was a mechanic but, being a family business he did everything from selling cars to updating the website. Reminders of him are everywhere.

“It has also been amazing to see how many people knew and loved Adam and to see their reaction on Facebook. Their tributes are a lasting legacy to him and I know he will be not be forgotten.”

While Mr Tombs didn’t have any children of his own, Mrs Goodall said he brought up his ex-partner Sally Evans’ five-year-old daughter Leyla as his own daughter for three-and-a-half years.

He is also survived by his father David, 35-year-old brother Glen, 12-year-old half-sister Rebecca and his stepdad Kevin Goodall.

A funeral date is yet to be confirmed.