A HOLME Valley cyclist died after a heart attack while on holiday in Spain.

An inquest in Huddersfield yesterday recorded a verdict of death from natural causes after hearing that Geoffrey Sparks, of Shawfield Avenue, Holmbridge, died on October 4 last year.

There were initial fears he had been in an accident, but tests showed he had come off the bicycle after the heart attack.

He had gone to visit a friend, Martin Turner, in Spain and they cycled about 20 miles together each day.

A post-mortem was carried out in Spain, but only Mr Sparks' head was examined.

As he had a fractured skull, the Spanish authorities thought he may have been hit by a car.

But Dr Alan Padwell conducted a full examination at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and found that Mr Sparks had had a heart attack and fallen off his bike.

Coroner Roger Whittaker said he believed it was the heart attack which killed Mr Sparks, not the head injury.