A former Trowbridge man has collapsed and died from a heart attack on an Australian beach during a training session for a charity fun run.

Michael Davis, 58, died while preparing for a 10-kilometre fun run in Sydney.

The former Blue Circle and Avon Rubber factory worker moved from Trowbridge to Woollagong, near Sydney, 13 years ago but his brother and two sisters still live in west Wiltshire.

Just days after his death Mr Davis' daughter picked up her father's running shoes and ran the fun run as a tribute.

Mr Davis' elder brother James, 66, of Danvers Way, Westbury, said: "Michael had entered the fun run for the past five years and when I last saw him he was very proud of all the certificates he had earned.

"But it was to be his final practice jog before the 10km run, from Sydney to the coast, when he collapsed with a massive heart attack.

"He had become a very healthy man when he emigrated and even had a gym in his home."

Michael Davis lived in Frome Road, Trowbridge, for nearly 20 years but moved to Australia in 1985 with his wife Maureen and three children.

He worked for seven years as a moulder at the former Avon Rubber factory in Canal Road, Trowbridge and nine years for Blue Circle cement works in Westbury. Mr Davis said his brother was proud of his achievements in previous races.

"He was meant to be running for charity but after he died his niece pledged to run as a tribute, she even wore the same number he had been allocated.

"Therefore he got the fifth certificate he had always wanted and would have been really proud, he really loved those certificates."

Mr Davis and his wife Margaret visited their Australia-based brother in March for the first time in 10 years. He said: "I am so glad we made the trip because I hate flying and I knew I could only manage the long-haul flight once, so I am glad I saw him one last time before he died.

"He loved it out there in Australia, in all the time I saw him he was never out of his shorts and singlet. He was so popular both in Australia and back in Wiltshire.

"He was a quiet family man who was happy at home with his loved ones around him.

"He wasn't much of a socialite but much happier at home with a beer."