Jason Piriou with wife Kerry and children, left to right, Holly, 10, Ross, 12, and Aimee, 15. (Picture supplied by the Piriou family)

NEARLY 200 people have joined a group on social networking site Facebook to pay tribute to a popular Guernsey character.

Jason Piriou, 37, died suddenly on Saturday after he collapsed while fishing from rocks near his home at L’Eree. Mr Piriou was the second eldest of five children and the only boy.

The group – In memory of Jason Piriou – was set up by one of his sisters, Lucy Bird. By this morning, it had 185 members and 58 of those had posted messages of condolence.

‘It is a comfort to know that other people are feeling the same as us and to be reminded that he was so well liked,’ said Mrs Bird. ‘We felt we wanted to do something because he was so well respected – a fantastic bloke all around and a good guy.’

A book of condolence will be available in Cobo Village Centre by lunchtime tomorrow.