The Prime Minister has led tributes to the "extraordinarily brave" blinded policeman David Rathband who has been found dead at his home in a suspected suicide.

The 44-year-old father-of-two became another victim of gunman Raoul Moat, who shot him twice in the face as he sat unarmed in his patrol car in July 2010.

Mr Rathband's body was discovered in Blyth, Northumberland, on Wednesday night after officers received a report of concern for his welfare.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said no-one was being sought in connection with the incident.

David Cameron said: "I met David, he was an extraordinarily brave man, and after his horrific injuries he did an enormous amount for charities and for other injured police officers, and for families who had lost police officers in the line of duty."

Northumbria Chief Constable Sue Sim said: "In July 2010 his life changed forever when he was shot and blinded by Moat.

"David showed outstanding bravery in what was a terrifying situation. He was a dedicated officer who acted in the best traditions of the police service."

He set up PC David Rathband's Blue Lamp Foundation to help members of the emergency services injured by a criminal act while at work.

Patron Duncan Bannatyne, the Clydebank-born entrepreneur and TV star, said PC Rathband took painkillers to cope with the agony of his facial injuries.

"If it wasn't for that, he would have coped with his blindness," he said. "I thought he was doing OK. I just wish I had been in contact with him and spent more time with him."

Entertainment company boss Paul Garner, of Blyth, completed a sponsored walk with the policeman at the launch of his Blue Lamp Foundation charity.

He said PC Rathband died wanting answers as to why he was targeted by Moat.

Placing a bouquet close to the front door of Mr Rathband's house in Blyth yesterday, he said: "David was one of the bravest men I have ever met. He was full of kindness and dignity despite what had happened to him."

"He kept on as long as he could but it all became too much to take.

"Now Raoul Moat has killed him too."

A large bouquet of white daisies bound with two Blue Lamp Foundation wristbands was laid at the Pc's back gate.

A note pinned to it read: "David. You are at peace now my friend. Enjoy it. You didn't deserve this. You were only doing your job like so many of us do every day. These past 19 months have taken us all on a journey. You have been an inspiration. We will continue that journey."

The officer's twin Darren was travelling from Australia to be with the family. Pc Rathband had only returned from there at the weekend.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "At around 7pm, officers received a report of concern for the welfare of Pc David Rathband at his home in Blyth. Officers attended the scene alongside the ambulance service and he was found inside. He was declared dead at the scene.

"A police investigation is under way and officers are in the process of notifying the family."

Former bouncer Moat was the subject of a huge manhunt as he evaded capture for a week before shooting himself dead after a stand-off with police in Rothbury, Northumberland.

On July 3, 2010, he had shot and injured his former partner Samantha Stobbart, 22, and killed her new boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29.

The following day, Moat crept up on PC Rathband as he sat in his marked police car and shot him twice. The officer only survived by pretending to be dead.

He lost the sight in both eyes and was left with more than 200 shotgun pellets lodged in his skull.

The officer, who joined Northumbria Police in 2000, later announced he was suing the force after he was left "a sitting duck" when Moat declared war on police during his rampage.

PC Rathband announced in November that he and his wife Kath were separating permanently. The separation was not thought to be linked to his arrest on suspicion of assaulting her months earlier.