Touching tributes have been paid to a community stalwart and devoted family man who has died suddenly.

Andrew Prowse, a former police officer with 30 years' service, was well known in the community and supported many causes through his work with local groups including the Rotary Club, The Society of Dorset Men and Weymouth Town Charities.

Mr Prowse, who was 70, died suddenly after collapsing whilst taking a short walk near his home in Southill, Weymouth. Passers-by rushed to his aid to try and help.

His family, who thanked people for trying to help him when he collapsed, described him as "a proud, loving and devoted family man".

Married to Pam for 51 years, Mr Prowse was father to Natalie and Claire and also a 'wonderful' grandad.

His daughters said: "There will be so many people who know dad. On retiring from the police, where he served for 30 years, he joined the Emergency Planning Team at County Hall.

"He continued to serve the local community joining the Weymouth Rotary Club where he was known for his chairmanship of Pilgrim House in Hope Square. He was vice chairman of The Society of Dorset Men and until recently a trustee of The Weymouth Town Charities. The phone would not stop ringing with people asking for help or advice, he was only too pleased to help."

Pilgrim House is the centre of Rotary's operations for the annual Fayre in the Square fundraiser and Mr Prowse was an integral part of the team.

Rotarian Dennis Corbett said: "Andrew had the most effective and disarming way of dealing with everyone, and nothing better highlighted this than his debriefing sessions at the end of each Fayre in the Square day. "That was when any problem was solved and very cleverly ensured it didn't recur. In other words, Andrew was a master of organisation."

He added: "Andrew will be missed on many levels, by friends and colleagues, but most of all by his loving family.

"For me personally, I feel very fortunate that our paths became entwined, and with many others I shall mourn the loss of a good friend for a long time."

Rotary Club of Weymouth President Joe Swindell said: "The fact that he was so active in so many community-based organisations and charities speaks volumes of the man we will all miss so much. Andrew Prowse was the epitome of the pillar of the community."

Mr Swindell added: "He held himself to his own high standards and would lead by example in everything that he did. The Rotary Club of Weymouth, and the town community as a whole, will miss his guidance and drive. We have lost a friend, and a role model.

"As a club our thoughts go immediately to Andrew’s family, who we all know well, and who we hope will still be engaged with Rotary for a long time to come."

Mr Prowse rose through the ranks to become chief inspector at Dorset Police.

During his career he was responsible for the special operational department including the planning and security of Royal and VIP visits to Dorset. Other departments he managed included air support, marine section, communications and police dogs.

He had to visit New York to assess the feasibility from a policing perspective of an accommodation barge becoming a floating prison. This was to become HMP Weare moored in Portland Harbour.

In his role as emergency planning officer with Dorset County Council he oversaw the Dorset response when the container ship Napoli beached off Branscombe in 2007.

In his community role, Mr Prowse acted as a Dorset Echo Industry Awards judge and also arranged the donations for the Echo's Christmas Toy Appeal from Weymouth Rotary and the Society of Dorset Men.

There will be a private family funeral held today at 11.30am at Weymouth Crematorium. Friends are welcome to gather en route or on Quibo Lane, observing social distancing. Donations can be sent in Mr Prowse's memory to Weymouth Rotary Charities payable by cheque to Cotton & Sons Funeral Directors or The Salvation Army via Just Giving.com and search AndyProwse674.