Tributes have been paid to a Bradford student and international class high diver who was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Gavin Brown, 22, of Cottingley, who was studying criminology at Solent University in Southampton, was due to compete in the World Cup High Diving Contest this summer.

He suffered severe head injuries after being hit by a car in the early hours of Saturday in Southampton.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital but died later that day from his injuries with his distraught family at his bedside.

Mr Brown, a former member of the Bradford Esprit diving club, had competed in the European Junior Diving Championships on several occasions winning a bronze medal in 1999.

He was part of the Solent University Talented Athlete Network Development.

Lindsey Fraser, director of coaching at the Southampton Diving Academy, said he was "irreplaceable."

She said: "His cheeky grin and irrepressible personality were without compare and words cannot express how much we are all going to miss him in whatever capacity our paths crossed."

Matt Bishop, sports development manager at Southampton Solent University, said: "It is with shock and great sadness that staff and students received the news of Gavin's untimely death.

"Gavin was an extremely lively student with a love of life and a huge sense of humour.

"As well as being a first year BA (Hons) Criminology Student he was also a distinguished diver. We would like to offer Gavin's family and friends our deepest sympathies."

A spokesman for the university's criminology department said: "Students and staff from the criminology degree course at Solent University are deeply shocked by this news.

"Gavin was an excellent student who was very well liked by both students and staff. We will miss him. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family."

Hampshire police are still hunting for the driver of the blue Vauxhall Astra who left Mr Brown for dead in the road following the accident near the Hobbit pub in Bevois Valley Road. The car was found abandoned in the city. Police have released a photograph of it to help a local appeal for information.