A family yesterday paid tribute to a kayaker whose body was found on an Aberdeenshire beach at the weekend.

It is believed that Alan Simpson, 38, fell from his kayak and died.

Two girls spotted the body in shallow water at Balmedie Beach near Menie House.

Finlay Munro, 23, of Leyton Cottage, Balmedie, said he saw the girls standing beside the body. He said: "It was still in the water. They waved me over to help pull him out because they couldn't manage it themselves and we waited for the police and coastguards to come along."

He said that Mr Simpson, who was often seen kayaking in the area, was wearing a wet suit.

Mr Simpson lived at the family home at Disblair, Newmachar. Yesterday in a statement issued through the police his family said: "Alan was a much loved son, whose death in such sudden and unexpected circumstances, has come as a huge blow.

"Modest and unassuming, Alan will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. A great lover of the outdoors, Alan was a keen cyclist, hill walker and kayak enthusiast.

"Educated at Skene Square Primary School, Newmachar Primary and Robert Gordon's College, Alan's academic career began at Edinburgh University where he gained a BSc degree in biology. He then went to Birkbeck College in London where he gained his PhD in biology. Later he went to America where he spent nine years doing biology research work at Purdue University in Indiana.

"It was in America that Alan took up the sport of kayaking."

Grampian Police confirmed they were investigating his death but a spokesman said: "There is nothing to indicate that this has been anything other than a tragic accident."