TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who died in an international sailing event at the weekend.

Andrew Cokayne was judging the Laser qualifiers off the Hartlepool coast on Sunday when high winds wreaked havoc and led to a major air and sea rescue by police, RAF and lifeboat crews.

The 59-year-old judge had just helped to rescue a young sailor whose boat had capsized, when he collapsed.

He was taken to Hartlepool Marina and then to the town's hospital, but was pronounced dead soon afterwards.

The Royal Yachting Association praised those who helped ensure the safety of competitors and said it was gathering information to see if there was grounds for an investigation.

Father-of-three Mr Cokayne was the UK Laser Association treasurer and an international judge in the one-man dinghy contests hosted by Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club.

He lived in Ashby de la Zouche, Leicestershire, with his wife, Glynis.

Association chairman Ken Falcon said: "He died doing what he loved, working as a jury member at the Tees and Hartlepool qualifier. He had a heart attack while on the water in a rib, and was rushed from the race to the local hospital, but died soon after arriving."

He said Mr Cokayne would be remembered by sailors across the country, having started sailing aged ten.

The International Sailing Federation also sent its condolences to Mr Cokayne's family.

The event at the weekend had to be called off after high winds wreaked havoc and led to 20 young sailors being rescued by lifeboat.

The Humber Coastguard praised the way organisers coped with the situation and said they should not be blamed.