A SUFFOLK man who became a well-known advertising film producer in California has died suddenly of a heart attack aged just 38.Matthew Pomerans grew up with his parents, Erica and Arnold, and his brother Jan, in the village of Polstead.

A SUFFOLK man who became a well-known advertising film producer in California has died suddenly of a heart attack aged just 38.

Matthew Pomerans grew up with his parents, Erica and Arnold, and his brother Jan, in the village of Polstead.

But although he emigrated to America, he remained a fanatical Ipswich Town FC supporter, keeping up with his team's progress on the internet.

Mr Pomerans was born in St Leonard's hospital, Sudbury, and educated at Boxford First School, Stoke by Nayland Middle School and Great Cornard Upper School.

He chose not to go on to further education and spent the next four years in Israel, before returning to London to work in the film industry.

Following his move to America he worked his way up through the production side of the industry, working as a freelance on commercials and music videos before he landed his first staff post as head of production at Nitrate Films.

By 1993 he was head of production for the music video wing of Bedford Falls, then as executive producer for Satellite Films.

During his time there, the company received more than 20 honours from the Association of Commercial Producers as well as two Palme D'Ors and five Gold Lions at the Cannes Film Festival.

Mr Pomerans, who died on January 26, was executive producer for commercials for Nike, Sprite, Budweiser, United Airlines and American Express. One commercial, for Nike, the post-apocalyptic The Morning After, directed by Spike Jonze,(who also directed the film Being John Malkovich) won an Emmy award.

For the last year Mr Pomerans was executive producer at California company, Area 51 Films, whose managing director, Mark Thomas, said: "Matthew was a brilliant producer, a beloved colleague and a wonderful human being. We will miss him greatly."

Mr Pomerans leaves a widow, Linda, and two daughters, Hannah, nine, and Sophie, seven. Area 51 has set up a fund for the two children. A funeral service was held in Hollywood earlier this week.