A FAMILY doctor has died suddenly during a skiing holiday in Canada.

Geoff Yates, 38, who had worked at the Great Harwood Health Centre for two years, is understood to have been discovered by friends in his bed at a Canadian ski resort on Friday.

Friends in Great Harwood said other members of his party went to see him in his room but could not wake him.

Medics were called and he was pronounced dead.

Today, friends were comforting Mr Yates' family at their Belmont Farm home, Clinkham Road. They declined to comment about the tragedy.

Mohammed Rahman, a Great Harwood councillor and semi-retired colleague of Mr Yates' at the Water Street health centre, said: "We are all devastated by what has happened.

"He really enjoyed his skiing and had been to many places across Europe before this trip to Canada.

"He was with a group of friends and no one can believe this has happened.

"He has never had any medical problems so it is a mystery why he died.

"He was Great Harwood born and bred and was delighted when he got the chance to come and work here.

"He was a single man but doted on his nieces and nephews.

"His family are well known and everyone is devastated."

After being educated in Blackburn, Mr Yates attended university and medical school in London.

Before moving to the Great Harwood Health Centre, he was based at the Montague Health Centre, Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn.

Local councillor for the Wensley Fold area, Coun Mohammed Khan, said: "This is devastating news.

"He worked very hard for the community and made a real difference to those he helped.

"I am sure he will be greatly missed and my sympathies are with his family at this time."

Nobody at the Foreign Office was able to comment on whether it had been asked to help.

Canada's ski slopes have become more popular with European tourists in recent years due to the unpredictability of ski slopes on this continent.

Susan Upton, manager of Great Harwood Health Centre, could not be contacted for comment.