THE parents of Nick Bonnie have released a statement following the tragic death of their much-loved and hugely popular son.

Nick died in the early hours of Saturday after collapsing in the Warehouse Project nightclub in Manchester while on a lads weekend.

It is believed he died after taking drugs from a 'bad batch'.

Nick, 30, was born in King’s Stanley and attended Marling School. 

Hundreds of heartfelt tributes have been posted on his Facebook page with many friends remembering Nick’s warmth, fun-loving nature and his smile which could light up a room.

Nick was living with his girlfriend Leah Wilkins in Bristol and worked for the Prince’s Trust.

His parents, Pauline and Andy, from Stonehouse, released the following statement over the weekend.

To all those who heard on the national news on Saturday, a 30-year- old man from Gloucestershire had lost his life in a Manchester nightclub after taking illicit substances - this was our son, local boy, young man, Nick Bonnie.

We don't want to have any obituary or such like printed but have decided that his life was too precious and important to go unreported.

He played local football for Kings Stanley Youth teams up until the age of 16, Leonard Stanley Under 18s, Brimscombe &Thrupp and finally Cashes Green.

Nick was a keen sportsman, avid follower of Liverpool AFC and only last week completed the Tough Mudder challenge for Help the Heroes in Wales. Nick was known by many as having a big heart, big personality and the most infectious smile in Stroud.

Nick Bonnie lost his life tragically, senselessly and needlessly in a nightclub in Manchester on a 'lads' weekend.

This has devastated the lives of us, his parents, his two brothers Thomas and Ryan, and his beautiful and devoted girlfriend, Leah.

Our family and friends, Nick's friends, work colleagues and all those who had the privilege of knowing him and those he helped in his employment at the Prince’s Trust.

Nick was born in King's Stanley and went to the local primary school. He progressed to Marling before taking a gap year and travelling around Australia before gaining his degree at University in Plymouth.

He returned home to work with a local firm of solicitors in Stroud before embarking on the true vocation of his life, working at the Princes Trust.

He has helped many young people in the early stages of his employment with them and helped raise funds and promote the profile of the trust in his current role.

He has been to Highgrove on several occasions and attended one of the Queen's garden parties at Buckingham Palace.

Everyone who knew Nick was aware he loved life, lived it to the max and in making one stupid mistake he has cost himself his life.

We hope that after reading this, we may have gone some way in helping anyone/ everyone in the realisation that drinking and use of any illicit drugs are a killer with consequences that will devastate lives for ever.

Our thanks go to all those who have taken to time to send messages of support to out family.

Our lives and all those who were blessed to share a part of his are broken. Our life will never be the same without Nick and he will never be forgotten.