TRIBUTES have been paid to Whitstable Rugby Club president Gilbert Armstrong who has died suddenly at the age of 70. Mr Armstrong, was taken to hospital following a fall at Whitstable Yacht Club. A post mortem revealed he died of natural causes before the fall.

As a golfer of some note, Mr Armstrong was a past captain of the North Foreland club at Broadstairs, a former captain and secretary of the Canterbury Businessmen's Golf Society and a member of Chestfield Golf Club.

He was also a member of Whitstable Yacht Club. At one time in played for Thanet Wanderers, a club which later made him a lifetime vice-president.

Whitstable Rugby Club chairman Pat Todd said: "Gil Armstrong was a man who loved rugby and Whitstable Rugby Club in particular. Although he could not get to every committee meeting, the breadth of vision and common sense he showed at those he did attend were of great value. He was a tremendous asset and one the club could ill afford to lose."

Mr Armstrong was managing director of Chapelsvant Ltd, an oil consultant company based in Whitstable.