TRIBUTES have been paid to a solicitor who died while taking part in a half-marathon with his girlfriend.

Alan Lumley, who was celebrating his 31st birthday, collapsed about a mile from the finish line while running in Sunday's Wilmslow Half Marathon near Manchester.

Paramedics treated Mr Lumley at the scene and took him to Wythenshawe Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

His girlfriend Nicky Harris was also running the race.

Mr Lumley, a solicitor who was brought up in Darlington and attended Barnard Castle School but lived in Cheadle Hulme, had completed ten previous runs including half-marathons.

Liam Cowell, managing partner of DLA Piper's Manchester office, where Mr Lumley was an associate, said: "We are greatly saddened by the tragic loss of Alan Lumley.

"Alan was a very talented lawyer who was extremely well-liked and respected by colleagues and clients alike.

"He will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of working alongside him. Our thoughts are with his family and his girlfriend at this sad time."

Tributes have been paid to Mr Lumley on social media, while a Just Giving page set up in his memory to raise £2,000 has already seen donations of more than £6,000.

Tributes in the page include: "Words cannot express the void that Alan will leave. It was an honour to have known him and a privilege to consider him a friend. The world has less colour in it today."

"A really sad loss - thoughts with his family and loved ones."

"Very sad - a very talented young man. Thoughts with his family and friends"

"Such an awful loss. You must be very proud of Alan. He was an exceptional young man."

The Just Giving page says Mr Lumley was an excellent sportsman; playing rugby league and union throughout school, both at county schoolboy level.

It added: "Alan was the kindest and most loving son, brother and boyfriend that anyone could ever wish for.

"He was loyal, thoughtful and was liked and admired by everyone he met. Due to his sharp intellect and captivating personality he had established a successful career which showed great promise.

"He had been renovating his first home in Cheadle Hulme with Nicky and was looking forward to being an usher at sister Julia's wedding in eight weeks’ time."

Mr Lumley was one of 4,000 participants who took part in the 13.1 mile race.

The death is the second in two years at the event.

Last year Ben Smith, 27, from Sale, collapsed a mile before the finish line.

To donate go to http://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/alan-lumley