AN international karate champion has been found dead at his home.

Peter McGarrity, 23, was discovered on Monday in the flat, in Newcastle, where he had recently moved to set up a personal training business.

Mr McGarrity, whose family live at Red House, Sunderland, was a member of the Great Britain Squad and won several national and international competitions.

The former worker at Nissan's Washington plant also ran three karate classes in Sunderland and raised thousands of pounds for charity and the Thompson Park Community Centre.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out and his family are waiting to hear if an inquest will be held.

His mother, Jan, 46, said: "I suppose everyone thinks their son is the best in the world. But every day, Peter made us proud. He was one of those people who always put others first. We are absolutely devastated."

Mr McGarrity's funeral is on Tuesday, at Holy Trinity Church, Southwick, at 1pm, followed by cremation at Sunderland Crematorium an hour later.