AN Afghanistan veteran and former Tidworth-based army captain who "lived life on the edge and to the full" died after collapsing at the 23-mile mark while running the London Marathon.

Captain David Seath was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

The 31-year-old suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while running the 26.2-mile course on Sunday — he leaves behind his parents Libby and Pete, brother Gary and girlfriend Gaby Judd.

His mother Libby Seath said: "David has achieved more in 31 years than most people do in 70.

"He lived his life on the edge and to the full. He was running to raise money for Help For Heroes, a cause which was very important to him."

London Marathon organisers confirmed he collapsed at the 23-mile mark, receiving "immediate medical attention", but that he later died in hospital.

Friends and colleagues of the Army captain are now vowing to "complete what he started" - finishing the marathon course for him and continuing to raise cash for his chosen charity.

Captain James Walker-McClimens of the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery set up the JustGiving page in his memory.

Having served with Capt Seath in the 19th Regiment The Royal Artillery The Highland Gunners in Tidworth, they then went on tour together to Afghanistan in 2012, returning at the same time.

"We have stayed in touch ever since, he was at my wedding last year," said Capt Walker-McClimens.

"He was the greatest type of guy you could imagine - everyone loved him. He was funny, outgoing, generous - he was just not a bad guy in any way shape or form."

Capt Walker-McClimens said the news has come as a complete shock to all those that knew him - and that a "whole group" of Capt Seath's friends want to complete the marathon for him.

"In the Army we don't like unfinished business, it was something he wanted to do - he wanted to do the full marathon, so we are going to complete it for him," he said.

"He was raising money for Help For Heroes so we just want to carry on that theme."

Capt Walker-McClimens said those who are finishing the course for him are all fit, but that it is "more fitting" for them to be together when they do it, and will walk the remaining distance instead of running.

So far more than £14,000 has been raised through the JustGiving page set up in his memory - with more than £1,600 pledged to Capt Seath's original fundraising page.

Capt Seath's exact cause of death is yet to be established.

To make a donation in Capt Seath's memory, visit justgiving.com/H4HeroDavidSeath.