British snowboarding champion Nelson Pratt, who coached the Team GB snowboarding team, has been found hanged at his parent's home.

Pratt, who also coached the army snowboarding squad, was found by his father Nigel in the garage of their home in Grateley, in Hampshire.

Although paramedics fought to save the 33-year-old, described by the snowboarding press as "Mr Nice", he died on 28 June.

An inquest, opened in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, gave the cause of death as hanging. The hearing was adjourned to a later date.

The news of Pratt's death sent shockwaves through the snowboarding world, with hundreds of fans and fellow snowboarders leaving tributes to the star.

Ed Bloomfield, editor of Whitelines, posted a tribute to Pratt, in which he describes him as "one of the most talented and popular snowboarders in the UK".

"Nelson was quite simply one of the nicest guys I have ever met in my life. People always say things like that after a death, of course, but in Nelly's case I honestly don't know anyone that didn't love him to bits. How could you not? He was friendly, funny, loyal and, above all, humble," the tribute adds.

Facebook tributes were left to Pratt, including fellow snowboarder Richard Bennett, who wrote: "Devastatingly tragic news. He will be missed enormously by us all. Always charming and keen to please and so modest, given his legendary talent. He was one of life's true stars. Nelly, we salute you."

In a Whitelines interview in 2009, Pratt said: "Weird and cheesy as it sounds, I just love the feeling of being on my snowboard, getting in an edge and getting the air really. Sometimes when I go back home I think 'I'll be finished with that soon' but as soon as I get back out I just love snowboarding."

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