TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Canon Slade School pupil who collapsed and died following an early morning run on holiday in Spain.

Gary Townsend died aged 43 on Monday during a holiday with his partner Hannah.

Mr Townsend had recently been appointed chief executive of Albion in the Community, the charitable arm of Championship football club Brighton and Hove Albion.

Martin Perry, chairman of Albion in the Community and executive director of the club said: "We are all shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Gary's sudden and untimely passing. Gary has been with us since 2013, occupying numerous senior roles. Gary was a hard working, effective, and extremely popular leader of our charity.

"In addition to his day-to-day work for AITC, Gary has raised many tens of thousands of pounds for our charity, not least in support of Jadey's dream, a fundraising campaign to provide support for more disabled people to participate in sport.

"On behalf of the Albion in the Community's trustees, Tony Bloom, the football club's chairman, its board, and all of our staff, we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Gary's partner, his family, and friends at this incredibly sad and difficult time for them."