The 43-year-old former coach of ex-Rotherham snooker professional Shaun Murphy worked out of Harrogate's Manhattan Snooker Club where he was dedicated to introducing the sport to youngsters.

Prest coached Murphy to victory at the 2005 World Championship and was in Ronnie O'Sullivan and Neil Robertson's corner at Sheffield Crucible this year.

Murphy told the World Snooker website: "It's a loss to me and also to snooker. He was probably the best coach in the game, he worked with many other players and was always in demand from professionals and amateurs. He will be very sadly missed."

Prest was an official World Snooker coach and was involved in various projects over the years including the Young Players of Distinction scheme.

He was often employed in the CueZone area at tournaments, where his coaching skills and affable nature made him popular with up and coming players.

Before focusing on coaching, Prest was a player, having joined the professional ranks in 1991.

His best career result was a 5-1 defeat of Alan McManus in the 1992 Dubai Classic qualifiers, and he also recorded victories over the likes of Jimmy Michie, Bjorn Haneveer and Patrick Wallace.