Birmingham music legend Bev Bevan has paid a warm tribute to his former Electric Light Orchestra bandmate Mike Edwards, who has been killed in a freak accident involving a bale of hay.

The Sparkhill-born cellist, who was 62, died instantly when the bale – thought to have careered down the side of a steep field – landed on his van near his home in Devon on Friday.

Bevan, who played drums with ELO, said: “He was a lovely guy who was always smiling and he really enjoyed playing for the band. He was a fine cellist who was extremely popular with the fans and he’ll be missed.

“We have not been in touch since he left the band in 1975 but I’ve lots of fond memories of our time on tour.

“I just hope he got to fulfil everything he wanted to do in life.”

Mr Edwards was known for his bizarre playing style, which included plucking the strings of his cello with an orange or grapefruit.

Despite learning his trade in a classical orchestra, he found fame in the rock and roll world.

Bevan said: “Mike was a deep thinker and very shy when we first met but he came out of his shell. It was a culture shock for him at first, playing in front of wild crowds, but he soon got used to it.

“At times we used to leave him on stage on his own and the crowd loved him.”

Mr Edwards was understood to have had no immediate family.