MARLBOROUGH College deputy head Bob Pick had to carry out one of the saddest duties of his career on Saturday when he gave an address at a memorial service for 23-year-old former student Nadim Khalaf.

Mr Khalaf, who was a pupil at the college from 1992-97, died of a heart attack while working at his family's business in Nigeria.

He was senior prefect at the public school before he left to go to America where he won a degree in international relations.

Mr Khalaf played rugby for Marlborough's 1st XV and boarded at Turner House, where Mr Pick was his housemaster,

The memorial service was held at the College Chapel and was conducted by the college chaplain, the Rev James Dickie.

About 30 members of Mr Khalaf's family flew in for the service, which was also attended by 100 of his former school friends.

Mr Pick said Mr Khalaf had been an extremely popular pupil and his sudden death had saddened students and teaching staff.

He said: "It was one of those extremely tragic events where someone who you thought was fit and healthy died suddenly."