TRIBUTES have been paid to the one-time coach of Kent's golden girl of athletics, Dame Kelly Holmes.

Dave Arnold, who coached double Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly for 20 years, has died from cancer. He was 72.

Mr Arnold, from Tonbridge, was Dame Kelly’s coach from 1982 to 2002. He worked with her throughout her school days, at Tonbridge Athletic Club, as well as for much of her professional career.

Dame Kelly turned to him for advice during her build up to the Olympics in 2004 and paid tribute to him in her acceptance speech after being named BBC Sports Personality of the year.

In an interview with BBC South East she said: “We clicked straight away. During the years we’ve been through ups and downs and he was able to help me through that.

“I was determined to achieve and I knew Dave wanted that as well. It’s not only me - Dave has influenced many other athletes. My heart goes out to Carol, his wife.”

Alan Newman, the Kent Messenger Group's athletics correspondent, said: “I am shocked and saddened by the news of the death of David Arnold of Tonbridge AC.

“David was best known throughout the athletics world as the coach of the double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes but it was his ability to motivate and inspire athletes of all ages and at every level that stood him apart from other coaches.”

David Hughes, chief executive of Tonbridge and Malling council, which honoured Mr Arnold with a lifetime achievement award, said: “I was very sad to learn that Dave Arnold has died and would like to express my condolences to his family and friends.

“Dave will always be known for his role in developing double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes and I am sure nobody was more thrilled than Dave with Kelly’s achievements.

“But Dave will be remembered just as much for his role in introducing literally thousands of youngsters to athletics and coaching them to an exceptionally high standard.

"He will be sorely missed and long remembered for the enormous contribution he made to athletics in the borough.”