A scientist who developed laser treatment for removing unsightly birthmarks on children died suddenly in New Zealand.

Dr Ian Spalding, of Tullis Close, Sutton Courtenay, collapsed after suffering a heart attack while on holiday with his wife Mary and two friends from Hampshire. He was 70.

Born and raised in Nottingham, and one of three brothers, Dr Spalding studied physics at Cambridge University where he took his PhD.

He moved to the US where he undertook research at the University of Maryland.

He returned to England to take up a position with the UKAEA at Culham Laboratory, where he spent the rest of his career.

At Culham, Dr Spalding became head of the team that worked on advanced lasers. One of the achievements of which he was most proud was developing a laser treatment for eliminating unsightly birthmarks on children's skin.

An active member of the Liberal Democrat party, Dr Spalding served on Sutton Courtenay Parish Council for several years before standing down last year. He was the treasurer of All Saints' Church.

Dr Spalding was the chairman and a driving force behind the Damascus youth project that serves the villages of Drayton, Appleford, Milton, Sutton Courtenay and Steventon. At the time of his death, he was looking forward to commissioning a new youth bus for the five villages.

Rita Atkinson, the line manager for Damascus, said: "Ian played a pivotal role in helping to get Damascus off the ground and establishing the organisation as a charity.

"He was so sensitive to the needs of young people. Even his scientific work involved helping benefit children."

Dr Spalding is survived by his wife Mary and two sons, Andrew, who lives in Switzerland, and Peter, in Essex, who are both married with children.