TRIBUTES have been paid to a commercial diver who died while inspecting an underwater gas pipeline off the Dutch coast.

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

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

His 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 under water.

"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, the dive, he would walk away."

Mr Cleugh, who was a former pupil of South Stanley Comprehensive School, travelled the world and had completed more than 3,000 dives.

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 had worked in Dubai, on a fish farm in Scotland, and was involved in the construction of the supports that protect the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

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

A funeral service for Mr Cleugh, who is also survived by his brother, Barry, 27, will be held at St Andrew's Church, Stanley, on Wednesday, at 2pm, followed by cremation