David Ruston, 59, from Barnsley Sub Aqua Club, surfaced face-down just off Eyemouth in Berwickshire on Saturday, according to reports from the coastguard.

He was unconscious, not breathing and was later pronounced dead at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A statement from the club which meets at the Metrodome, where he had been a member for six years, said they were 'deeply saddened' by the loss of their friend.

"He was an active and enthusiastic diver and member of the club having joined in 2006 and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

"The club wishes to extend their sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time."

The coastguard received a call at 1.40pm on Saturday when the man surfaced around 50 metres from the shoreline.

The group was a short distance from Eyemouth harbour, when it was reported they could not make their own way back, a coastguard spokesman said.

He was taken to the shore by other divers and coastguard rescuers while a 39-year-old was treated for shock at the scene.

Paramedics and Eyemouth coastguard battled for around 45 minutes to save him but he had not regained consciousness by the time an RAF helicopter arrived.

A member of the coastguard said he had underlying health problems and used an inhaler.

His death is being investigated by the police and Procurator Fiscal's office in Scotland.