INSPIRATIONAL sportsman and fundraiser Gareth Scotcher has lost his 15-year battle against Motor Neurone Disease.

The Tenby dad-of-two defied medical predictions that he would only live for two or three years after his diagnosis.

He was determined to see his children grow up and make the most of the time he had left, and he did so with massive courage, determination and humour.

Gareth, aged 48, died at Withybush Hospital on Friday afternoon.

Tributes have poured in on social media, remembering him as a "legend" and an "inspiration".

One of Gareth's finest moments was when he completed Tenby's Long Course Weekend five years ago in tandem with his lifelong friend, Nicky Rees.

The extraordinary partnership saw Gareth towed in a kayak for the 2.5 mile swim, following the 112-mile cycle course on a specially-adapted bike and then taking on the marathon pushed in a buggy.

The cruel disease eventually robbed Gareth of the ability to walk, talk and eat, and he communicated through a computer voice synthesiser.

He said of his sporting achievements: "It's good for me to have a target, something to train for and to draw people's attention to my disease. "And most of all, to prove to people, no matter what your disability, with a bit of help and hard work you can achieve something." He added: "I may have a weak body, but the mind is still strong. "I'm still the same man I always was,. My glass is half-full."