MOTOR sport champion Tim Sargeant has died at the age of 47 -- just 24 hours after winning a competition.

Mr Sargeant collapsed and died at his home in Hutton Drive, Burnley, late on Monday night.

Only the previous day he had taken part in the final round of the SD34 autotest championship in Knutsford and won.

His brother Robert, of Accrington, said: "This has come as a terrible shock to his wife, Eileen, and other members of the family.

"It was so unexpected. He had gone to bed, started to have breathing difficulties and died."

Tim was a partner with Bill Hanna at Enfield Motor Services in Rosegrove for more than ten years and was a well-known and popular figure in the town.

He was also also known across the North West and nationally through his involvement and success, first with road rallying and, over the last 15 years, in autotesting.

Robert said: "He had a really good year 2000, becoming national champion and winning a number of other titles. It was a really successful year for him."

At Sunday's event, he had been urging competitors to take part in a new competition in December at Kirkby Lonsdale, a venture he was closely involved with. The club is going ahead with the competition as a tribute to him.

Funeral details are not yet known.

Mr Sargeant leaves widow Eileen, brother Robert, partner Alison, and niece Ruth.