The parents of 21-year-old Tim Penn, who died suddenly at a classic car festival on 19 July, 2008, said he was a joker who brought a smile to everyone's face.

Mr Penn, from Cinderford, Gloucestershire, died at a VW festival at Caldicot Castle in Monmouthshire.

His parents, Keith and Elisabeth, paid tribute to their car-mad son who loved to play the guitar.

"Tim had recently rescued a red 1974 Beetle, which he called Napoleon, that had been in a field for 10 years," said Mr Penn. "It had become his real passion. He was obsessed with it.

"He was also a fan of the guitar and played a variety of musical styles from Pearl Jam to James Morrison.

"He used to jam with friends a bit, but mainly he played on his own in his room."

Tim had been due to start an art foundation degree in Barry, south Wales, in September 2008. The former Dene Magna and Royal Forest of Dean College student was at the festival with friends and his girlfriend, Hayley Mills, from Lydney, when it is believed he collapsed.

Tim was rushed to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport but was understood to have died instantly.

Organisers of the event paid tribute to Tim by releasing hot air balloons that night and also lit candles.

Mr Penn said his son, who was 6ft 7, was a popular lad. He said: "He had so many friends. He was a big joker who put a smile on everyone's face.

"He had a T-shirt made up which said 'The In-Tim-idator' on it, but he was just a gentle giant."

Mrs Penn said: "He was so honest too. Once he found a handbag belonging to a neighbour out in the street and he wouldn't touch it. He came in and asked me if it was okay to find the owner – which we did in the end."

Tim lived with his parents and his brothers, Kevin and Steven. He was also survived by another brother, David, 25.

He had a number of part-time jobs, including a stint with Biffa, Capita, CKS, where he called himself "Captain Planet" and his favourite job, Martins newsagents in Cinderford, where he worked between the ages of 17 and 19.

Manager of the store, Kevin Beard, said that Tim would be sorely missed.

"He only came in a couple of weeks ago to let us know he was going to university. It was gutting to hear the news.

"He kept in touch regularly with us here, and he was always having a laugh. He will be really sadly missed by everyone."

His family said they would continue his passion with the restoration of his VW Beetle.