HE was a sports enthusiast who lived for the day but a brave teacher finally lost his battle for life.

Despite his determination to beat an incurable throat cancer 34-year-old "adrenaline junkie" Niall Andrews from Poole has died just weeks after becoming ill.

His wife Marina said: "He was full of life. He really did live for today.

"It was just such a huge shock. It should not have happened to somebody who was so fit and looked after himself so well."

She said: "In his short life he has achieved more than most who live longer. He did so much and was optimistic right to the end.

"He was an adrenaline junkie, always looking for new challenges."

Paying tribute to him have been Oakmedians Rugby Club - for whom Mr Andrews regularly played, Esporta Heath Club where he played tennis and Hobie Sailing Club in Rockley Park.

Mr Andrews was also a qualified ski instructor, windsurfing instructor, enjoyed fell running and regularly competed in triathlon. He also entered the Poole Audi Hex-treme event during its inaugural year in 2001, finishing as the highest ranked local competitor in fourth place.

Organisers and competitors at this year's Hex-treme event in Poole yesterday held a minute's silence in memory.

An Hex-treme spokes-man said: "Everyone was very sad to hear the news of Niall Andews at the social event held the night before the race and a minute's silence was held.

"Everyone involved with the event is very sorry to hear what happened and we're thinking about his family."

Mr Andrews moved to Poole from Wolverhampton where he had worked as a civilian physical training instructor at RAF Cosford.

He was transferred to Blandford Camp where he worked for another year before switching to teaching.

He was a sports teacher at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh and had just applied to Bournemouth and Poole College but had to cancel the interview after becoming unwell. He suffered in silence from April, undergoing a number of tests and specialist appointments to find the root of the problem. On June 23 doctors diagnosed cancer of the oesophagus.

He was told his cancer was incurable and veered away from chemotherapy opting for alternative treatments such as vitamins, meditation and special diets.