A young man who battled a life-threatening heart condition from birth has died after an accident at work.

Matthew Bigden, 24 - known as Matty - from Garsington, was working as an engineer for British Gas in Abingdon when he was killed on Saturday - just weeks before he was set to become a father.

His mother Diane Lockey, 47, said he died instantly and that the incident was being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. It is thought he was electrocuted.

She said: "We are all numb. We cannot believe he is gone.

"We were told he would not survive as a baby but he defied all the odds, so to lose him like this is so cruel.

"On Friday, he had his regular check-up at the JR and, as always, got the all-clear. Now, just a few weeks before his girlfriend Natalie is due to give birth to their daughter whom he had already named Hannah, he's gone."

Former Wheatley Park schoolboy Matthew was born at the JR with his heart on the wrong side of his body and the left ventricle - the heart's main pump - missing.

The loyal Oxford United supporter featured regularly in the pages of the Oxford Mail as readers followed his battle for survival.

Doctors gave him just hours to live, and predicted that even if he survived past infancy he would need a heart and lung transplant.

But he went on to undergo a serious of open heart operations and at the age of 14 became an Oxford Mail delivery boy, setting out on his bike six nights a week.

Mrs Lockey said: "Myself, Matthew's dad and stepmum, his step father and his brother and sisters are just staying united as a family and trying to help Natalie to try and get through this.

"She is holding up well for the baby's sake. But he was so excited about becoming a dad. It's a wicked, wicked world."

Matthew's Facebook page has been inundated with more than 200 messages and condolences from friends.

Mrs Lockey said: "The doctors said he would never be able to run, let alone ride a bike, but he proved everyone wrong.

"Matthew was always a fighter and even though he had this heart complaint he had his last major op at the age of 11 and never looked back.

"He played in goal football for a team in Wheatley and was Oxford United through and through.

"Even when I moved to Lancashire when he was 17, he stayed here and got a flat because he loved Oxford so much.

"He was still very close to his dad Steven, who lives in Abingdon and when he is cremated this Friday, we will be having a wreath in United's colours. He would have wanted that."

Mrs Lockey said: "Matthew was not religious, so we are having a celebration of his life at Oxford Crematorium on Friday(July 18), from 4.30pm. Everyone who knew him is welcome to attend.

"We are asking for family flowers only, but there will be an opportunity to donate to the British Heart Foundation, in remembrance of Matthew."

Oxford United chairman, Nick Merry said: "This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with Matthew's family."

The circumstances surrounding Mr Bigden's death are currently being investigated by officials at the Health and Safety Executive.

A British Gas spokesman said: "We want to offer our sincere condolences to Matthew's family. Our thoughts are with them at this time and we are co-operating fully with the HSE's investigation.