The family of one of the country's leading athletes, who collapsed and died as he competed in the World Transplant Games, last night spoke of their shock.

And Alan Ayre's family paid tribute to the man they called "everybody's best friend".

Kidney transplant patient Mr Ayre, 44, was taking part in the badminton event when he suffered a suspected heart attack as he was about to serve. Team doctors fought to save him, but there was nothing they could do.

Mr Ayre, from Blackhall, County Durham, was part of the Great Britain team at the 14th World Transplant Games in Nancy, France, last week.

Following his death on Wednesday, the 90-strong squad considered returning home but stayed to compete in their popular team-mate's memory.

His widow, Angela, 43, their two children, Andrea, 22, and Anthony, 18, and Mr Ayre's parents, Alan and Betty, have been given strength by the amount of support from neighbours and friends, as well as the British team.

Surrounded by more than 100 sympathy cards and almost 20 bouquets, Mrs Ayre said: "We would just like to thank everyone, especially the doctors from the team. I really appreciate all they have done for us.

"They have dressed him in his team tracksuit and laid the Great Britain flag over him, which would have made him so proud."

Mr Ayre was diagnosed with kidney problems when he gave up work at Horden Colliery to join the police, and was on dialysis for more than a year before the transplant.

He won more than 50 medals in transplant games in the past nine years, excelling in badminton, archery, volleyball and shooting.

Mr Ayre had played volleyball last Monday and trained on Tuesday ahead of the badminton competition.

The eventual winner from Malaysia, who had lost to Mr Ayre in previous finals, has donated his gold medal to his family.

Mrs Ayre said: "I haven't just lost my partner, the kids haven't just lost their dad, and his parents haven't just lost a son - we have all lost our best friend."