Grand National-winning horse trainer Toby Balding dies aged 78

Clare Balding has paid tribute to her uncle, the "brilliant" dual Grand National-winning horse trainer Toby Balding, following his death aged 78.

Mr Balding, who was instrumental in the early career of legendary jockey Tony McCoy, trained National winners Highland Wedding in 1969 and Little Polveir in 1989.

Balding took to Twitter to pay tribute to him after news of his passing broke.

McCoy also joined the tributes to the trainer, whom he described as his "ultimate mentor".

Mr Balding - whose brother Ian and nephew Andrew are also trainers, retired in 2004 and received an OBE from the Queen for services to horse racing in 2011.

His daughter Serena Geake said: "He was a great man, who loved life, horses and people."