An Oxford author who died after a fall from a multi-storey car park has been described as "a hugely talented writer" by his publisher.

Luke Bitmead, of Summertown, whose first novel, White Summer, was published in May, was found at a car park in Swindon on October 27.

The 34-year-old former pupil of Radley College had recently been carrying out book signings across the county - including an appearance at Waterstone's, in Oxford, a week before he died.

Mr Bitmead was also a musician and played as a drummer in a band called The Space Between, which performed in Oxford.

He grew up in Wiltshire and moved to Oxfordshire, where he studied at Radley College, before taking a BA in Philosophy at the University of Reading.

He travelled the world and lived and worked in Hong Kong, Australia and Uruguay and spent long periods in South East Asia.

Before writing his book he had taught English as a foreign language, worked in video and record shops, as an electrician, a roofer and a filling staton attendant.

His novel was billed as a "fast-paced and vibrant comedy" and best-selling author and book reviewer Deborah Wright described it as "great Stuff - wonderfully witty and sexy".

Mr Bitmead's family will use all royalties from the sale of the novel to award bursaries for young writers.

His father said: "He was a treasured son and brother who will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched."

Publisher Tom Chalmers, of Legend Press, said: "He was a hugely talented writer. He was a person full of energy and humour and made friends wherever he went."

Police do not believe his death was suspicious but are investigating how he fell from the car park.

Mr Bitmead was working on several sequels to White Summer and setting up an independent film production company - called Triple Threat Films, before he died.

He was also writing a novel in which the hotel room was the narrator.

The funeral will take place at Southrop Church, in Gloucestershire, tomorrow at 1.30pm. Donations can be made to the Luke Bitmead Memorial Fund.