TRIBUTES have been paid to a soldier who died during a training run at an Army base.

Lieutenant Peter Rous collapsed during a five-mile run at the Catterick barracks in North Yorkshire.

The 25-year-old was taking part in a training exercise on November 3 in preparation for a tour of Afghanistan.

He was taken to the Friarage Hospital, in nearby Northallerton, but attempts to revive him failed.

Last night, Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Jopp, the commanding officer of Lt Rous’ regiment, the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, said: “It is my very sad duty to confirm that one of our excellent young Scots Guards officers, Lt Peter Rous, died while on a run with P Company in Catterick.

“The whole regimental family has been shocked by Peter’s sudden death and join me in sending our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to his parents, Robert and Teresa, his sister, Laura, and his many, many friends.”

Lt Rous, from Suffolk, collapsed after the training exercise had finished at about noon on Tuesday. He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead at 12.45pm. The cause of death is not yet known.

He was taking part in the run with about 30 other officers.

Lt Col Jopp added: “Peter had only just returned to the 1st Battalion Scots Guards from F Coy, based in London, in order to join us for our forthcoming tour of Afghanistan.

“Peter was everything you could wish for in a young platoon commander – keen, enthusiastic, inquiring and, above all else, he was always looking for the best way to serve his Guardsmen’s best interests.”

Lt Rous trained at Sandhurst and Brecon, and had experience of active operations. He was at Catterick for a parachute training course, and was two days into the three-week programme when he collapsed.

An obituary taken out by his family said he was: “Adored by all, most especially his parents Robert and Teresa and sister Laura.”

An inquest is expected to be held in the coming months.