TRIBUTES have been paid to a Kent policeman who died after falling overboard from a yacht he was sailing with his brother.

PC Phil Hitchcock, a traffic officer based at Kent Police headquarters in Maidstone, was taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers with his brother David.

Tragedy struck at about 12.30pm on Saturday when PC Hitchcock fell from the deck of his brother's 53-foot Formosa ketch yacht, Toutazimut sailing in the Mid-Atlantic about four days from the coast of St Lucia.

It is known that other yachts had problems reaching the scene and a rescue helicopter could not be used as the brother's yacht was too far from the nearest coastline.

Mr Hitchcock, 47, and from Kemsing, near Sevenoaks, had been as a police officer for 27 years. Most of his service was spent in the traffic department.

Ch Insp Jerry Price, of kent police, said that he and his colleagues were devastated. He added: "Phil was an upbeat, positive and supportive individual who was dedicated to his work. Our thoughts go to his family. We are offering them as much support as possible."