FRIENDS of a much-loved musician who died after a car crashed in to a pub have raised more than £5,000 in less than 24 hours to give him “the send off he deserves”.

Jack Brew and Tom Potter, friends of Stuart McClung, set up Stu’s Memorial Fund on Wednesday evening.

In less than a day the page has passed the £5,000 mark - more than double the initial £2,000 target amount.

Mr McClung, 36, died after a white Nissan Qashqai crashed The Spinnaker, in Hythe Quay, Colchester, on Sunday.

The fundraising page states: “Stu’s friendship reached so far and wide and this tragedy has left a giant hole in so many hearts.

“If even half the people who knew Stu could donate something then I’m sure we can give him the send off he deserves.”

Mr McClung was a customer service employee with Essex County Council and was working towards becoming a social worker.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of one of our employees.

“Stuart McClung had worked at the county council for almost four years and was a popular and valued member of our customer service team.

“He was one of the kindest people you could hope to meet and treated everyone who called our adult social care services with the utmost respect and dignity.

“He was their greatest advocate, always striving to achieve the best outcomes for them no matter what.

“Outside of work, Stuart was a passionate and creative musician, who regularly toured around his local area and overseas with his band, New Town Kings.

“Stuart will greatly missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Ian Winter, 34, and Carl Joyner, 33, were also injured in the collision as well as Mr McClung's girlfriend Vikki Spall, 34.

A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including murder but has since been released under investigation.

Essex Police would like to hear from any witnesses to the crash. Contact 101 quoting incident 63 of November 3 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stuartmcclung.