SOCCER referee Michael Malcolmson from Weymouth drowned on holiday in Spain after lifeguards were removed at the end of the summer.

An inquest heard how Mr Malcolmson, 47, of Shirecroft Road, Weymouth, was dragged into the sea by rough waves.

West Dorset Coroner Michael Johnston hit out at safety measures after recording a verdict that former sailor Mr Malcolmson died as a result of an accident.

A football trophy is to be named in honour of Mr Malcolmson after £1,100 was raised at his funeral to help youth soccer teams.

The inquest heard how no red flags were flying on the day Mr Malcolmson died - September 20 this year- and that a rescue boat was not on duty because a council contract had ended five days before.

Friend Martin Raymond Dyke, who was on holiday with the Malcolmson family, told the inquest that someone had been in trouble at the same beach the day before.

Mr Johnston said: "This could have been avoided if someone had the wits to put red flags out.

"The season doesn't end on a fixed day and people go on holiday at home and elsewhere out of season."

He added: "There may have been local problems there but visitors wouldn't know."

Mr Malcolmson died when on holiday with his wife of nearly 30 years Lesley, brother Joe, sister-in-law Moira and two other friends.

He left a daughter, Claire. Tributes poured in after his death, especially from football teams and refereeing colleagues.

The inquest heard that he was fit and healthy, a strong swimmer and had not drunk any alcohol before the accident in a small cove near Calpe, at Benissa in Alicante.

Mr Dyke told the inquest that Mr Malcolmson, his brother Joe and their wives went for a paddle at mid-day, but that the two men were pulled out to sea. He said he was alerted by Joe Malcolmson's wife Moira screaming and he climbed a cliff above the cove to see what was going on.

He added: "Michael was beyond the waves in a calmer piece of water and seemed to be in control.

"Someone helped pull Joe out and then an inflatable appeared and went up to Michael. He appeared still to be swimming at this point.

"A young lady dived in and he went into the boat."

When the family arrived at a nearby hospital staff told them Mr Malcolmson was dead.

Mr Malcolmson served in the Royal Navy on Portland before becoming an electrician and working at Turrell Electrical Services on the Granby Industrial Estate.

His brother George travelled from Southsea and his parents George and Peggy came from Falkirk for the inquest

George Malcolmson said: "There are still a lot of unanswered questions.

"He was a strong swimmer and witnesses say he was in the calm bit of water beyond the waves.

"We haven't had the chance to speak to any Spanish people involved to find out what they did or didn't do."

He added: "My brother and the others are not stupid people. They would have noticed warnings."

Spanish authorities said the cause of Mr Malcolmson's death was drowning