Property valuer Simon Bosworth died in Peterborough District Hospital following an incident at his house in Oundle Road, Woodston.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now probing the death of the 41-year-old, who was described by a colleague at estate agency Connells in Cowgate, Peterborough, as "always cracking jokes" and would be greatly missed.

Details remain sketchy, but the IPCC has confirmed Mr Bosworth phoned police at about midnight on Saturday, July 5, to report a suspected burglary in progress.

When officers arrived at his terraced house, they found a man – later identified as Mr Bosworth – at the property and attempted to restrain him for reasons not yet clear.

He became unwell, and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where his condition deteriorated.

He died in the afternoon of Monday, July 7.

A post-mortem examination has proved inconclusive, and further tests are being carried out to determine the cause of Mr Bosworth's death.

As IPCC investigators continued their work today, friends and colleagues of the father-of-one paid tribute to him.

Lifelong friend Joel Lewis (40) said: "I grew up with Simon.

"We went to Jack Hunt School together, and although he was in the year above, we were still best friends.

"We had been close since we were about seven or eight years old.

"He was passionate about motorbikes and, of course, his 13-year-old son, Saxon, but was also a very jokey person and had a great sense of humour.

"It's devastating what has happened"

Kara Jones, a negotiator at Connells, said Mr Bosworth joined the company in April last year as chief valuer.

He had previously worked at William H Brown in Cowgate as property sales manager.

She added: "Of course, all of us at the office still miss him. He was full of life, always cracking jokes."

As is normal after fatal incidents involving the police, Mr Bosworth's death was referred to the IPCC, which decided to begin an independent inquiry.

IPCC commissioner Len Jackson said: "Our investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the actions of the Cambridgeshire police officers who attended Mr Bosworth's home on that evening.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything in the area of Oundle Road on the evening of Saturday, July 5, or in the early hours of Sunday, July 6.

"I would urge anyone with information to call us."

A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said the force could not comment while the matter is in the IPCC's hands.

An inquest into Mr Bosworth's death has been adjourned, and is expected to be heard in full once the IPCC has completed its probe.

Anyone with any information should call 0800 096 9074, or e-mail oundleroad@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk