THE man who was gunned down in Chingford has been described by a friend as "a lovely bloke who always had a smile on his face".

Paul Brace said Wayne Powell, who died after being shot several times in High Station Avenue, south Chingford, was a hard working family man.

Mr Brace said at first he could not believe it was his friend who had been killed.

He said: "You hear of these gangland things but the first thing I thought of was mistaken identity.

"Wayne was a really nice bloke and was never in or around trouble."

Mr Powell, 39 and from Tottenham, grew up living a few doors along from Mr Brace in Stamford Hill.

Mr Brace, 42, said they lived in the same road from about aged 11 until they were in their 20s.

Mr Brace, who now lives in Chester, said he last saw Mr Powell, who worked at Seven Sisters train station, about three weeks ago.

Mr Brace said whenever he travelled down to London to see his family he would always look out for Mr Powell at the train station.

He said: "I was in total shock when I heard.

"There was something special about Wayne, he was just a lovely bloke.

"He would always be immaculately dressed and he always had a smile on his face."

Mr Brace said he and his brother Darrell grew up spending time with Mr Powell and two of his brothers, Robert and Paul. He is believed to have a third brother, Tyrone.

Police officers are still hunting Mr Powell's killer.

It is believed he was sitting in his black BMW when he was approached by a lone gunman and was shot as he tried to run away.

The killer then ran along a footpath in the direction of Coningsby Gardens.

Mr Brace, who believed Mr Powell had two or three children, said he would certainly try to attend Mr Powell's funeral.

Anyone who can help police with the investigation should contact the incident room on 020 8733 4704, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.