STRONGMAN competitor Paul Amor, who once impressed Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger while competing in America, has died aged 35.

Mr Amor, who grew up in Potterne, near Devizes, and was a keen member of Devizes rugby and swimming clubs, died suddenly on April 17 from a heart attack after suffering a coronary artery atheroma at his home in Rugby.

Mr Amor's parents, Roger and Jenny, who still live in Potterne, this week paid tribute to him and invited anyone who knew him to celebrate his life at a funeral service at Rainsbrook Crematorium, Rugby, on May 8.

Mr Amor, also leaves a wife Sharon who he married in Mexico in October 2013, and a younger brother Tim and sister Rachel.

Mr Amor was born in Devizes on February 19, 1980 and went to Worton and Marston Primary School and then to Lavington School.

Mrs Amor said: "Paul excelled at maths and attended a Maths Master Class course at the University of Bath when he was 11 years old. He later joined Mensa.

"He was a member of Devizes Amateur Swimming Club for many years and entered his first strongman contest in May 2005."

He started his rugby career at Devizes Rugby Club and continued to play for them whilst at Bath University.

He continued onto Northumberland University after Bath to complete degrees in engineering. He played rugby in Newcastle and was selected for trials with the Newcastle Falcons.

He started working for a graduate scheme for engineering projects in the nuclear division and spent time working in Cumbria, continuing to play rugby for Whitehaven Rugby Club.

He later got a job with Alstom in Rugby, Warwickshire.

He moved on to work in Leicester for Cavendish Nuclear but he decided that Rugby was going to be his home. He then joined Old Laurentians Rugby Club.

In 2011 Paul was invited to The Arnold Classic Amateur Strongman Competition in Columbus, Ohio in the United States.

Arnold Schwarzenegger met Paul that day and was impressed with his efforts.

He continued to train and compete for Strongman competitions across the UK.