TRIBUTES have been paid to a charity fundraiser after he died, aged 57.

Robert McManus, from the Stoops area of Burnley, died in his sleep on Saturday, December 15 at Turf Court Nursing Home in Haslingden.

He had been ill for several years following a stroke.

Mr McManus, who was a chef and part-time entertainer, moved to Burnley from Dundee when he was 20 and lived in Florence Avenue before moving to Holly House sheltered accom-modation complex in Holme Street.

He was well known in the area for his charity work, raising thousands of pounds for Macmillan nurses through a series of Celtic Folk gigs at the former Irish League Club, now Burnley League Clu,b in Richard Street.

His nephew, David Young, 35, of Plover Street, Burnley said: "He was a really fun-loving man who lived life to the full.

"He worked as a chef in London but while he was in Burnley he set up his own business called Thistle Theatrical Agencies, which organised disco and karaoke events for local pubs and nightclubs.

"He was also a partner in a carpet shop in Manchester.

"My cousin from Scotland raised a lot of money for Macmillan and when Robert heard of the work the charity did he decided to run a series of fund raising events.

"He raised thousands of pounds of about 10 years.

"He had been ill for several years after suffering from a stroke and was then moved to a nursing home where he died of heart problems on Saturday." Mr McManus was also a vocalist in the band Shamrock and Thistle, which provided enter-tainment at most of the charity events he organised.

He even tried his hand at stand-up comedy.

He leaves partner Avril, sister Maureen, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

His funeral will take place on Friday, December 28, at Burnley Crematorium, at 10.40am.

In lieu of flowers, his family have asked for donations to be sent through Co-op funeral services.