Tributes have been paid to a popular surfer who dedicated countless hours training others to save lives.

Adam Frere-Smith co-founded North Norfolk Surf Lifesaving Club in 2007, one of the first in the east of England.

Mr Frere-Smith, who has died, aged 48, was a key figure in helping the Cromer-based club grow from a handful of members to more than 100.

He introduced three training categories and successfully applied for funding to convert the former toilets at the foot of the Red Lion steps into a training centre and clubhouse, a shower and storage area.

He also helped secure more than £10,000 for training and lifesaving equipment.

Many club members have gone on to work as lifeguards in the area and Mr Frere-Smith himself volunteered countless hours patrolling local beaches.

He dedicated his evenings to training youngsters on Cromer beach in the vital skills of surf lifesaving.

His commitment to surf -lifesaving, and the club, was recognised in 2012 when he won national awards for both services to the community and services to lifesaving.

Mike Snelling, chairman of the North Norfolk club, said: 'Our club and Adam are intertwined.

'The community Adam has built will last and get stronger through the example he set us.

'He will be dearly missed by the club, its members, their families and the community he helped so much.'

Born in Stalham, Mr Frere-Smith was one of 12 siblings and the proud father of four children: Oliver, Jessica, Wesley and Esme. They remember an exciting childhood travelling all summer long in an old VW campervan, visiting beaches and surfing, with a father who loved fun, the sea, and adventure. After his divorce in 2000, he studied to become a teacher, taking a degree in sociology and psychology, and becoming a lecturer at City College, Norwich.

Mr Frere-Smith's funeral will take place tomorrow, Friday December 4, at 10.15am at St Faith's Crematorium, Norwich. All welcome.

? An inquest opening in Norwich heard that Mr Frere-Smith was found unresponsive in his bedroom on Pearcefield, Norwich, on November 16. Assistant coroner David Osborne said he had fallen the day before his death. An ambulance was called and he was treated. The cause of death was alcohol, a fall, and a fractured skull.