KEEN golfer Robert Jennings, a stalwart of West Lavington, has died of a heart attack while playing his favourite sport.

Mr Jennings, who was 61, became unwell while playing on the tenth hole at Erlestoke Sands Golf Club.

Paramedics were unable to resuscitate him and he was certified dead at the scene.

His death has left the golf club and the community of West Lavington in shock.

Mr Jennings, a retired chartered civil engineer, was an active member of All Saints Church, organised fundraising for the charity Cancer Research UK and was a volunteer for the Environment Agency, monitoring potential flooding in the village.

In January this year, he assisted the parish council in liaising with the statutory authorities when there was a major flooding scare in the village.

He had lived in the village for more than 20 years.

Bob Giles, chairman of West Lavington Parish Council, was a long standing friend of Mr Jennings when they both worked at Edmund Nuttall and Sons Ltd.

He said: "Rob was very honest, hard working, conscientious, very caring and determined. He was not afraid of diving in and doing things and he was one of those people in the village who volunteered to do things."

West Lavington resident Mike Page, a friend of Mr Jennings, said: "His death is a great loss for the village."

Richard Gamble, a neighbour of Mr Jennings' in Duck Street, said: "He was a most splendid fellow, full of energy and vitality. He was a stalwart of the community."

Mr Jennings worked in Hong Kong for a number of years where he was responsible for constructing a number of roads and bridges. He retired about three years ago and joined Erlestoke Sands Golf Club and North Wilts Golf Club, but left North Wilts last year.

Mr Jennings was vice-captain of the senior section at Erlestoke Sands.

Senior members of the golf club held a minute's silence as a mark of respect on Tuesday.

Hywel Thomas, 67, the captain of the seniors, said: "Bob will be sorely missed. He was very popular and was always friendly. He was very keen on his golf and won several competitions."

Mr Jennings is survived by his widow Hazel and their two children.

The funeral is tomorrow at All Saints Church, West Lavington at 11am. His family has asked for any donations to be made to Cancer Research UK c/o of the funeral directors, John Stuart in Devizes.