A RUSSIAN student died from a suspected asthma attack outside a North-East nightclub while celebrating his 23rd birthday, police said last night.

Timur Gulinskiy collapsed outside the Klute nightclub, on Elvet Waterside, Durham City, just before midnight on Thursday.

Despite efforts by an off-duty Durham police sergeant and paramedics to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His family in Moscow have been notified after contact was made with the Russian Embassy and Leeds University, where Mr Gulinskiy was studying for a doctorate in mathematics.

Mr Gulinskiy and two friends were visiting a fellow countryman in Durham. The group went for a meal to celebrate his birthday before moving on to the club.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "The young man complained of feeling unwell and left the club for some fresh air and to use his inhaler. When he began to vomit his friends asked staff to call a taxi, but before this arrived the man collapsed."

A post-mortem examination at Durham's Dryburn Hospital failed to determine the cause of death, but police said there were no suspicious circumstances. Further tests will be carried out.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest is due to be held next week.