YORK’S bowling community has paid tribute to an “awesome player” and “colourful character” after he died aged 44 of a suspected heart attack.

Iain Boyle, who represented England at the sport, was a member of York and District Indoor Bowls Club as well as York’s Railway Institute Bowls Club – which he joined in 2008 following the closure of Bert Keech Bowls Club.

He picked up a national single title as a junior and went on to win the National Indoor Pairs Championship and English National Father And Son Championship with his late father, Ted.

After growing up in the south, Iain moved to Yorkshire about 20 years ago and spent time living in Barnborough, York and Pickering.

Paul Mooring, a friend and fellow bowler, said: “He was just a likeable sort of lad. He was one of those guys who was fun to be with – he was always the life and soul of the party.

“It’s an absolute travesty that he has gone.”

Meanwhile, dozens of people have posted tributes to Iain on the Julian Haines Bowls Lawn Bowls Forum website.

Among the moving tributes is one that says: “Iain was a giant of a man in every sense.

“Never one to take the easy option, he could produce bowls of breathtaking brilliance.

“Skills like he showed on the bowling green could never be taught. One thing few knew about Iain was his commitment to encouraging youngsters starting out.

“He was always generous with his time and knowledge. He would be genuinely surprised to know how many lives he has touched and how much he will be missed.

“A complex, colourful character – we won’t see his like again. I’ll miss you at every game, Iain.”