A young, fit schoolteacher died after suffering a massive heart attack while he was using a rowing machine, an inquest heard.

Jeremy Smith, 26, who lives in Elgar Avenue Malvern, was a regular customer at the Malvern Splash gymnasium in Priory Road.

He had a "hectic" lifestyle and was described by Worcestershire coroner Victor Round as a "very fit" young man, but suffered an inexplicable heart attack on Friday, November 25, while using a rowing station.

He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital but was announced dead in casualty after paramedics failed to revive him.

He had no history of heart problems and lived a healthy life, with specialists describing his arteries as normal.

Tests subsequently found scar tissue on his heart which specialists believe developed from a viral infection.

The scar tissue led to an abnormal heartbeat, which had gone undetected.

Mr Smith had taught at Malvern Wells CE Primary school for three years.

The coroner said: "Mr Smith was a fit person and had no history of heart problems. He didn't take any drugs, had a healthy diet, though he did drink caffeine.

"He was a well person, which makes the death even more difficult to explain.

"There have been various studies of this problem, of fit, young people suffering heart attacks. This is certainly not an isolated case and the family left behind is not alone. It has happened to others.

"It appears that the death was relating to existing heart problems that he would not have known about, from a virus some time in the past.

"He may have had heart problems in later life anyway. This, if you like, was its way of catching up with him sooner."

The coroner recorded a verdict of death as a result of natural causes.

Kevin Wright, headteacher of Malvern Wells CE Primary, called Mr Smith, who had taken the job at Malvern after qualifying three years ago, "the greatest teacher".

He said: "As our colleague, he was our rock, always to be relied upon in helping with the work of the school and never far from our sides when we needed a hand.

"As pupils, staff, governors and parents, we have lost a special friend, a unique blend of talent, generosity and kindness that will always be treasured and can never be replaced."