A 43-year-old "super-dad" and popular sportsman has died from a brain haemorrhage after collapsing at work.

This week shocked family and friends paid tribute to Ashley Bevan, of Baden Street, in Haworth, who started a new job working as a labourer in Huddersfield two weeks ago.

His wife Tracey said: "None of us can believe it. He just said goodbye and left for work on Monday but never came back.

"He was fine all weekend, he never said he felt unwell.

"Apparently he just said to someone he worked with that he felt a bit funny and collapsed. He was dead before they got him to hospital. It's just so hard to come to terms with because he was such a fit person."

Mr Bevan's love of sport started at primary school in Oxenhope, where he grew up with his parents, Hugh and Norma and sister Janine.

He enjoyed cricket and football, which he continued to play well when he went to Greenhead School.

Later, he discovered a passion for cross country and fell running and among his achievements counted completing the Three Peaks in three and a half hours and finishing the gruelling Haworth Hobble.

A member of Keighley and Craven Athletics Club and Fell Runners Association, Mr Bevan would often run to and from NSF Controls, in Ingrow, where he worked as an electrician's mate for over ten years.

Mr Bevan was a keen mountain biker and also enjoyed walking. He did some youth work and was involved with the walking challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

His friend Andrew Weatherall said: "He just loved sport and wasn't happy unless he was cycling or running up a hill.

"Most people like going down the hills but Andrew liked pushing himself. He looked after himself -- he was fit and he didn't smoke. He'd have a drink but wasn't the sort that's always in the pub.

"He was never full of himself and he could talk to anyone. He was the sort of man that everyone liked. He was very popular and will be sadly missed."

Mrs Bevan paid tribute to Mr Bevan as a husband and stepfather to her children Sarah, 11, and Joe, ten.

She said: "We properly met about five years ago and we got married a few years ago. I don't know how to say how wonderful he was.

"At 38 to go from being so into his sport to overnight becoming a better father than most natural fathers was just incredible."

Mr Bevan's father Hugh said: "These past five years with Tracey were the icing on the cake for him.

"They were a brilliant team. He doted on the two kiddies and if there's any comfort at all it's that he was so happy at home."

Friends and colleagues from Keighley and Craven Athletics Club and Fell Runners Association are going to organise an annual Ashley Bevan Memorial Fell Race.

Mr Bevan's funeral will be held on Tuesday, at 11.15am, at Haworth Parish Church, before moving to Oakworth Crematorium.

People wishing to pay their respects are welcome at any stage of the day and there will be refreshments at Haworth Old Hall after the service.

Any donations from the funeral will go to a mountain rescue association.