Tributes were paid last night to a popular rugby club stalwart and former pub landlord killed in an accident involving a JCB digger at a farm owned by JCB boss Sir Anthony Bamford.

Tony Cripps, 57, was riding in the bucket of the digger at New Farm, near Kingham, when he fell out and was run over by the machine. He was pronounced dead at the scene from head and chest injuries. He had worked at the farm for three months.

The driver of the JCB, a 22-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released on police bail.

Mr Cripps, of Cooper Close, Chipping Norton, was formally identified yesterday and people in the town and nearby village of Kingham, where he was once landlord of The Plough Inn, spoke of their shock.

Mr Cripps was a founding member of the Chipping Norton Rugby Club. He had been chairman and was currently treasurer.

His wife, Kay, was too upset to speak yesterday, but family friend and rugby club chairman Paddy Gregan said: "A lot of people who knew Tony will be extremely shocked by this tragic accident and his untimely death.

"Tony was extremely well known and well loved in Chipping Norton and beyond. He absolutely loved rugby. He did so much for this club - he even ran the touchline for the first team and he lived for rugby."

He said Mr Cripps had a son, Tom, 18, and Mrs Cripps a daughter, Natasha.

The Cripps sold The Plough at the start of the year. One of the new owners, Adam Dorrien Smith, said: "Tony introduced me to all the regulars when we bought the pub and he was incredibly helpful during the handover, giving me lots of useful information about the building.

"All the regulars and the villagers are extremely shocked by what happened and we hope to set up some sort of memorial to Tony when the pub reopens after refurbishment in July."

Farm manager Richard Smith yesterday issued a statement. It said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm that a 57-year-old employee at New Farm was involved in a fatal accident on the farm at lunchtime on Tuesday.

"He had worked at New Farm for just three months and was a popular member of the team. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time."

Gloucestershire coroner's officer Paul Boak said that an inquest would open next week.

He said: "A postmortem has also been completed by Home Office pathologist Dr Stephen Ledbeatter, and the cause of death given as blunt head and chest injuries. Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive and the police are ongoing."

The accident happened shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, close to an organic farm shop run by the Bamfords on their Daylesford estate.

Jerome Mason, a builder currently renovating The Plough, added: "I met Tony on a number of occasions and asked his advice on what should be done and he was always incredibly helpful.

"One day he's here picking up his mail and the next he is gone. It's just such a shock."