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Police were called to the scene at the Big Church Festival (BCF) off Washington Road near Steyning, on Friday afternoon

The man killed by a falling sign at a Christian festival has been named as a 41-year-old pastor.

Pastor Robert Guanco, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was tragically killed when a huge wooden archway gave way.

Police were called to the scene at the Big Church Festival (BCF) off Washington Road near Steyning, on Friday afternoon.

Pastor Guanco's family have been told and are being supported by specialist officers, Sussex Police said.

He was a Pastor at Jesus the Living Water Church in Eastbourne.

A GoFundMe page was set up for the dad, with tributes flooding in.

The tribute read: "Pastor Robert was more than a pastor. He was a beloved son, cherished brother, loving husband to Isaeli, a great father to Ellie, and faithful servant of God.

"He was also a good friend, mentor, and a blessing to so many people whose lives he touched."

He added: "His life reflected humility, faith, love, compassion, and service. Through his ministry, kindness, prayers, and encouragement, he touched many lives.

"His passing is deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

"Though Pastor Robert’s earthly journey has come to an end, his legacy of faith, love, service, and the lives he touched will never be forgotten.

"The seeds he planted through his ministry and his love for others will continue to live on through those he served and the family he left behind."

The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and the local authority, Sussex Police said.

Organisers have cancelled the rest of the event, due to run until today, after the death on the opening day.

In a statement, his church said: "Pastor Robert was a faithful servant of God, a loving husband to Isay, a devoted and caring father to Ellie, and a blessing to so many people whose lives he touched. His life, his faith, his love, and his service to God will never be forgotten."

ParentFuel, a Christian parent support organisation, also said in a statement: "We cannot praise the BCF team enough for the way things have been handled. We are currently sat in the volunteer tent with a brew in hand, worship music being played and the warmth of chatter around us. What happened was awful. It was a freak accident. But God is still good."

It added: “Life is so precious and so so short. This weekend brought that ever closer for us all."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, said: "I pray for his family, friends and loved ones as they grieve. I pray for those receiving treatment, and the healthcare workers looking after them.

"And I pray too for the other festival goers, staff and event organisers as they come to terms with these tragic events."

Detective Chief Superintendent at Sussex Police Richard McDonagh said: "I recognise the immense distress this will have caused people at the festival, and we are working with a number of partners as we seek to establish exactly what happened.

"We know there were thousands of people at the festival and we’re urging anyone with any information, or any relevant video footage, to please come forward."