DEVASTATED family members have paid tribute to dad-of-one Ralph Leyland, who died in Scarborough during a weekend away with his girlfriend.

Ralph, who was 36 and lived in Haydock, died after being found injured on a terraced area near to the coastal resort's Grand Hotel on August 7.

The circumstances surrounding the tragedy are still not clear, says Ralph's sister Stacey Leyland.

Stacey, 29, said the whole family is "in shock and completely devastated", adding Ralph, who has a six-year-old son Charlie, was "taken from them so suddenly".

She said: "He was the life and soul, so lively and happy, and he loved his son.

"He was looking forward to a nice weekend in Scarborough with his girlfriend - they had just had a great week away in The Lakes with his son.

"We can't believe he is gone, so suddenly. What happened is still a mystery to us."

Stacey said Ralph, a senior residential care worker, was sporty. He had playedrugby union for Ruskin Park and was a keen cyclist.

As well as his son and sister, the former Legh Vale Primary and Haydock High pupil leaves mother and father Susan and Ralph, brother Daniel, 34 and girlfriend Helen O'Brien.

North Yorkshire Police received a call at around 6.30am on August 7 by a member of the public who found a man with serious injuries.

Police and paramedics attended the incident, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest into Ralph's death was opened on August 10 and police are treating it as unexplained, with an investigation underway to determine the circumstances that led to his injuries and subsequent death.

Three men were arrested in connection with the incident remain on police bail while enquiries continue.

Police have not given details as to why the three were arrested.

A celebration of Ralph's life will take place at St Helens Crematorium.