TWO of the three sisters of a man who died on a leisure centre running machine have paid tribute to him.

Father-of-two Chris Holden, 42, of Gunners Mews, Bishop's Waltham, was a keen fitness enthusiast who regularly went to the gym and played rugby.

The IT expert was on a treadmill at Fareham Leisure Centre when he stumbled forward and fell hitting his head on a nearby cross training machine.

A post mortem found he had suffered from heart problems.

His sister Heather Holden told the Daily Echo: "He lived life to the full and loved his beer and all of his family.

"He was very outgoing and fun-loving with a big heart."

Another sister Sandra Gould added: "He was larger than life and loved all of us. He was always interested in keeping fit and this was just a terrible shock. We have fond memories, he had a great sense of humour."

Staff tried to revive Mr Holden and called 999 at 6.44pm on August 5 last year.

He was taken to Queen Alexandra hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead and 7.40pm.

The gym was closed for the night and the treadmill was tested and found to be in working order.

Pathologist Barbara Borek said the head injury was unrelated to his death and an examination showed he was suffering from the inflammatory disease cardiac sarcoidosis.

Portsmouth coroner David Horsley recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.