A MOTOCROSS competitor died after collapsing in front of his family at the end of a day competing in his favourite sport.

And today Stephen Astin was hailed as a hero for staying conscious long enough to pull over to the side of the road in his van -- an act which saved his fiance and children from injury.

Mr Astin, 40, was driving three of his children and his fiance Janice Berry back from a Motocross event near Whitehaven in Cumbria.

Just three miles from the track -- where the self-employed joiner of Granville Road, Accrington, had taken part in two races -- Mr Astin pulled over his van while struggling to breathe.

He collapsed at the side of the road and despite attempts by doctors called to his aid and his best friend David Mallabourn, who was driving a motorhome behind Mr Astin's van, he died.

He was pronounced dead at West Cumberland Hospital on Sunday.

Janice, his partner for six years, was today being comforted by friends at the couple's home, which Mr Astin had built. Colette Mallabourn, who was in the motorhome behind Mr Astin, said: "He is a hero in many ways.

"Janice and three of the children were in the van with him. It doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened if he had not had the presence of mind to pull over. We've no idea what caused it but everyone is devastated. Just a couple of hours before, he'd been taking part in races.

"He was a great bloke who led a very active life. This is something you'd never expect to happen to someone so fit and healthy.

"David went back to the track to get a doctor. There were three with him in the end, but nobody could do anything."

Mr Astin was well known on the Motocross circuit, and travelled the country to take part in events.

He leaves behind four children: Sam, 13, Jasmin, 11, Ciaran , six and Matthew, five.

An inquest has been opened in Whitehaven, the nearest town to the Lamplugh race track where Mr Astin and his family had spent the weekend.

West Cumbria coroner, John Taylor, has adjourned the hearing to a date to be fixed.

Mr Astin's funeral will take place on June 2 at 11am at Accrington Cremetorium.

His family have requested donations to the British Heart Foundation, and they can be sent to Wolstenholme Funeral Services, Willows Lane, Accrington.