Belgrave Harriers are mourning the sudden death of club president Charlie Walker.

Walker, 78, collapsed while doing repair work at his son's home in Colliers Wood last Wednesday and was found at the bottom of a flight of stairs.

He was a contemporary of Chris Chataway, Gordon Pirie and Roger Bannister when Britain's endurance runners dominated the world scene.

Walker regularly trained with them at the Duke of York's headquarters track in Chelsea after finishing work for the Ministry of Works.

Belgrave official Alan Mead said: "Charlie ran with success at the top level when this country's middle and long-distance runners were household names and second to none.

"In any other period, he would have gained full international honours."

Walker was a regular member of the Belgrave team in the London to Brighton road relay after the war - winning 24 team medals in 28 appearances.

He was also a regular for Surrey's cross country team in the 1950s, winning the senior men's title in 1951 and finishing runner-up to Pirie the following year.

Walker was one of the most pleasant people you could meet - always cheerful and with a kind word.

One of his last appearances in his role as Belgrave president was at the South of England cross country championships at Parliament Hill Fields at the end of January, where he was in good form and looked a picture of health.

Due to the circumstances of his death, details of his funeral have been delayed as a post mortem will have to be held.