TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the region’s leading businessmen and boxing promoters, who was found dead yesterday.

Gus Robinson, MBE, pictured right, who was 62, established Hartlepool construction company Gus Robinson Developments in 1976.

Mr Robinson, a married father-of-four and a grandfather, came from a tough background and went on to employ 150 people from his own community.

He was well known as a boxing promoter and he also stood for the Conservative Party against Peter Mandelson in Hartlepool, in the 2001 General Election.

In 1997, the former merchant seaman was awarded the MBE for his services to business and the community. He was chairman of the East Durham Development Agency and helped to establish the National Boxing Academy, among his other achievements.

Police were called to his home, in the Grange Road area of Hartlepool, at 7.10am. Officer said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mr Robinson was due to attend a meeting he had called for all staff at 8am yesterday.

The company said the meeting had been organised to dispel any rumours the firm was in difficulties.

A former amateur boxer himself, Mr Robinson was a well-known promoter in the sport, helping Newcastle’s John Davison win the WBC International featherweight title in Hartlepool, in 1990.

Mr Robinson once told of how he had to physically protect his mother who was being savagely attacked by his father.

Then aged 17, Mr Robinson was convicted for assaulting his father, but was discharged by the judge, who said any son worth his salt would have done the same.

Robert Ellis, chief coach at Spennymoor Amateur Boxing Club, paid tribute to his friend of more than 30 years.

He said: “I remember I opened the gym one morning to find new boxing equipment, all paid for by Gus, just when we needed it most. He was a great man, a massive, massive miss.”

Managing director at Gus Robinson Developments, Paul Twidale, had known Mr Robinson for more than 20 years and told of the shock and devastation of staff.

He said: “He was enormously proud of his business and those who worked for him.”

Cath Purdy, of Vela Homes, said: “Our thoughts go to those who work with Gus, who are, in effect, his extended family.

You leave a huge legacy Gus.”

Mr Robinson leaves wife Judith, son Daniel, a former RAF flight lieutenant, and daughters Lucy, Anna and Adele.