TRIBUTES have been paid to an experienced commercial diver, who died while inspecting an underwater gas pipeline off the coast of Holland.

Andrew Ross Cleugh, 29, described as a gentle giant with an impeccable safety record and sixth sense for danger, was buried under a landslide caused by a tremor 22m beneath the surface.

Rescuers took 40 minutes to dig him out from under the rubble, before he was taken to a decompression chamber. There four Dutch doctors tried unsuccessfully for nearly two hours to resuscitate him.

His grieving father Bryan Cleugh of Bracken Close, Stanley, said: "Andrew was a lovely person - a gentle giant. He knew the risks and understood it was a high risk job, but he loved it and was in his element underwater."

"Andrew always had a sense of adventure, but he was never reckless and always placed safety first.

"He also had a sixth sense and if he thought there was anything wrong with the job, he would walk away."

Andrew, who attended South Stanley Comprehensive, travelled the world and had more than 3,000 dives under his belt.

He took up diving as a hobby about ten years ago and went on to work as a professional scuba diving instructor in Malta for five years. He has also worked in Dubai, on a fish farm in Scotland, and was involved in the construction of the piles protecting the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

Andrew was a trained paramedic and radio operator and was qualified for night diving, cave and wreck diving. He was also an underwater camera/video operator.

His mother Marie said: "A fortnight before the accident he called me and spent more than two hours telling me of his future plans and ambitions.

"He had hoped to teach commercial diving and to write stories. And he was planning to get married to his Dutch fiancee Eby van den Bos."

An inquest has been opened into his death.

The funeral service of Andrew, who is also survived by his brother Barry, 27, was held at St Andrew's Church, in Stanley on Wednesday