A champion bodybuilder has died suddenly after a gym workout.

Met police officer Mike Williams, 50, of Beech Road, Hadleigh, was found dead in the steam room at Virgin Active gym,Thundersley.

Mr Williams, who recently came second in the European natural bodybuilding awards in Barcelona, had gone to the gym to work on his arms.

About 40 minutes after going in to the steam room he was found on the floor. Attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Regular training partner Justin Johnson, of Sanders Road, Canvey, said: "It is a shock to everyone. He was such a well-known and liked man."

Mr Williams leaves a wife, Janet, two sons and two daughters. He also had two sisters, Donna and Terri.

His younger sister Terri, from Pitsea, said: "My older brother was there to look after me. He was such a positive person. He had time for everyone and he never said a bad word about anybody."

Mr Williams, who used to train at the Academy in London Road, Westcliff, had harboured ambitions of being a police officer since he was a youngster growing up in Jamaica, when his older brother Newton was a member of the police force. Tragically, Newton was shot and killed while in service.

Mr Williams came to England as a youngster and first lived in Forest Gate.

He moved to Hadleigh in 2003 after spending 10 years in Westcliff. He joined the Metropolitan Police four years ago.

He had been bodybuilding since his twenties and had scooped several British, European and world titles.

He was also a committee member of the Natural Physique Association.

Results of a post mortem are expected soon.