A senior Crown prosecutor from Okehampton, who died while out cycling, has had tributes paid to him by a colleague.

Barrister Chris Bennett died after suffering a heart attack while cycling near his home in Okehampton last weekend.

Mr Bennett worked for the Crown Prosecution Service for more than 25 years, working on a great number of important cases.

Deputy chief crown prosecutor Tracy Easton said: 'CPS staff from across the South West were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Chris Bennett on Sunday. Chris was a Crown Advocate based in Exeter and had worked for the CPS since its inception in 1986.

'He was known by many as a great lawyer, supportive colleague and friend.

'His death is a great loss to many of us personally and to the CPS as a whole. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.'

Mr Bennett regularly appeared in magistrates' courts and Crown Court in Devon and Cornwall, and played a vital role in preparing cases for trial.

A keen amateur cyclist, Mr Bennett was a family man.