AN elderly man died yesterday shortly after running a relay race.

Bob Liddle, 72, had finished the last leg of the veterans relay race at the Durham Cathedral Relays championship, in Durham, when he collapsed on the riverbank.

The married father-of-two, who was a member of Birtley Athletics Club, stopped breathing and first aiders at the event rushed to help.

Paramedics were called at 11.10am yesterday and tried to revive him, but he later died at the University Hospital of North Durham.

It was his first competitive race for the club where he had been a member for 18 months.

It is understood Mr Liddle, of Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, had been talking to other competitors shortly after running over the finishing line, but suddenly took ill.

Last night, Ed Lown, coach co-ordinator for Birtley Athletics Club, paid tribute to the athlete.

He said: "He was a very nice person and very popular. It was a great shock to everybody.

"Bob had been with us for about 18 months and he never missed training. He would train every Tuesday and Thursday and really enjoyed running.

"There were quite a few members from the club at the race. He will be sorely missed."

The Durham Cathedral Relays are organised by Durham City Harriers and feature races for athletes of all ages.